18^th March 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians

Further to my letter earlier in the week, I am writing with an update and notification of partial closures that will impact both schools.

The revised advice has meant that many more of us are now advised to self-isolate, which now includes family members of those experiencing symptoms and also vulnerable groups for whom the criteria was clarified and included a wider range of people than before. This has meant that more of the staff at our schools are affected by this advice.

Current advice is that should any child, or any other member of their household in which they live, show any of the following symptoms:

• A new continuous cough
• And/or a fever/high temperature (37.8C or greater)

All in the household must self-isolate for 14 days.

Should a child attend school and display either of the above symptoms, we will send them home as per the advice already outlined.

Children who are classed as vulnerable should not attend school. The full list of vulnerable groups are described below:

• aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
• under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):
• chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
• chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
• chronic kidney disease
• chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
• chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy
• diabetes
• problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed
• a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
• being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above)
• those who are pregnant

Partial School Closure

The Senior Leadership Team met today to revise our plan as we have reduced staffing and 65 children absent because their families are self-isolating. As such we will have to close the school to Reception (Ash, Beech and Reception children only in Cedar Class) and Years 3 and 4 (Classes 3W, 3R, 4B, 4M) from tomorrow Thursday 18^th March. Pupils in Y1, Y2, Y5 and Y6 will all come into school as normal. It is likely that this partial closure will remain in place until after the Easter holidays. This will then cover the 14-day isolation periods. I know and appreciate that this will be difficult for many of you but unfortunately these are unprecedented times. We will keep the situation under constant review. It may be likely that further closures are possible should more staff need to self-isolate as the weeks progress.

Pupil Exceptions to School Closures

Children of NHS Frontline worker

As this is an international pandemic, we are mindful of the necessity of supporting our parents who are frontline workers in the NHS e.g. nurses, doctors etc. or carers working with the elderly and housebound. If you are unable to make childcare arrangements that would free you to work, then school will try to make provision for your child in the event of partial closure. A message will be sent out shortly requesting this information.

Children in Receipt of Free School Meals

If your child is eligible for free school meals, school will make provision for your child to attend school in the event of partial closure. Please note this does not include Universal Free Meals that every Infant child is eligible for. This covers those in receipt of free school meals under the pupil premium grant. Please contact the office to confirm attendance.

Setting Work During Closure

At tonight’s staff meeting we will be discussing home learning and how we can sign post you to websites. It is anticipated that we will use the class pages on the school websites and upload learning tasks, where appropriate, to the age of the child.

Contact Details

During this time of uncertainty, it is important that communication channels are kept open so it would be helpful if you can make sure the school office has your most up-to-date contact details.

I really do wish for all our families to stay safe and keep well. I sincerely hope that you are not too adversely affected by this terrible pandemic, although, I fear it is likely that we are going to feel its repercussions for some time. 

Kind Regards,

Mrs K Melling

Executive Headteacher