Dear Parents/Carers,

We spoke to all parents on Friday regarding the need for children to stay at home where possible.

As you will be aware, we have to follow the Government guidance issued here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

The guidance states that:

'If workers think they fall within the critical categories above they should confirm with their employer that, based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.'

Please could you contact your employer to confirm that this is the case?

The Governments’ response is designed to severely reduce the spread of the virus.

‘The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.’

We therefore urge you to consider carefully whether your child ‘absolutely needs to attend school’.

If your employer has confirmed that both parents are key workers and you have no other option to keep your child at home, the school will be able to provide care for your child as needed.

If one parent is confirmed as a Key Worker, but the other parent is not, we believe that the best thing for your child and family is that your child is cared for at home where possible. This will limit the possibility of your child being exposed to the virus and in turn exposing the Key Worker to the virus.

Please remember that school staff are putting themselves at risk by continuing to work in school, so we are trying our utmost to limit the numbers in school to only those that cannot be cared for elsewhere.

Please also note the following:

‘The fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society.

Schools are, therefore, being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.'

We thank-you all for your support to keep everyone safe at this very difficult time.

Regards

Sarah Osborne

(Headteacher)