27 May Update on School Re-opening 27.5.2020
Wednesday 27th May 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
Re: Coronavirus (Covid-19) St Mary’s Update on School re-opening
I hope you are all keeping well.
On behalf of all at St Mary’s, we say a huge ‘thank you’ for supporting the school over recent weeks and for supporting your child with their home learning.
Following the government’s announcement on 10th May regarding the possible re-opening of schools to Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, St Mary’s school leaders have assessed St Mary’s capacity to re-open on June 1st. Guidance from the DfE, the local authority, our school LDBS adviser, and from unions has also been taken into account.
I write to confirm that St Mary’s school WILL NOT re-open on June 1st to Reception, Year 1 or Year 6. Thank you to our Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 families who responded to the letter we sent out last week.
I understand for some of our Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 families this may come as a disappointment for you. The safety of our school community is our priority. We very much want to see children begin to have a phased return to school, and we will continue to plan towards this and begin a phased return when we are satisfied it will be safe enough to do so.
The school has prepared a detailed health and safety report. This report, amongst many other matters, sets out how we would limit contact between children and between staff, use our classrooms safely, keep the school clean, ensure that we have sanitisers and other necessary equipment, and manage the use of school space to minimise contacts.
The report follows a format prepared by the Local Authority for schools and the completed report has been sent to the Local Authority.
I will send further updates when we have more information about when a phased return can proceed.
What is clear from our planning stage, is that schooling and staffing will be very different due to the impact of the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, safety precautions which must be followed and staffing levels.
For now, teachers will continue to provide home learning activities. School will let you know when we have another home learning pack printed for children and when you can call school to book a time to collect one.
Keep well.
With best wishes, Genevieve Prayag Headteacher