Plan For Return On 5th January 21

Dear Parents,

Re:  Years 5 and 6 moving to remote learning/ Years 3 and 4 return.

As I said in my earlier letter, we have been looking carefully at the number of staff we have available in the current difficult situation. After consulting with staff and with the Chair of Governors, it is with regret that I need to tell you that Years 5 and 6 will move to online learning from Tuesday 5th January. 

Years 5 and 6:
From tomorrow the majority of children in Years 5 and 6 will need to stay at home to complete remote learning.
We will still be able to offer a place at school for children who are vulnerable and for those who have parents who are key workers.  There are details at the bottom of this letter that explain how to go about arranging for your child to attend school if you feel they need to. Please do contact us if you have any queries about this.   
This change to plans has come about as a result of developments over the weekend.  We now feel we do not have enough upper school staff to open safely to years 5 and 6 due to a combination of staff acting on the advice of their union, shielding or isolating.
The situation will be reviewed weekly, but it is likely that Years 5 and 6 will be learning remotely for the next two weeks.
Remote education will be on Microsoft Teams. Please contact us with any technical queries or issues and we will do our best to assist.

Years 3 and 4:
Children in Years 3 and 4 can come to school as normal tomorrow. Please be assured that we are doing all we can to ensure that school is as safe as possible, with detailed and robust procedures to reduce risk.
A number of parents have already informed us that their child will not be attending school at the moment due to safety concerns and I completely understand their point of view.  We will do our utmost to provide learning packs for those lower school children who are at home.  If you intend to keep your child at home and have not already told us, please do so ASAP by email ([email protected]) or by phone (please leave a message if you are unable to get through).

Conclusion:
I know that this letter will be met with relief from some families, but with concern and upset by others.  It is regrettable that this decision has had to be made at such short notice, and I am very sorry for the inconvenience that it will cause to some families. Local infection rates are extremely high and I understand that this is making people very nervous.  This has been an incredibly difficult decision for staff, all of whom have put their own anxieties aside to deliver the very best education to your children in the Autumn term.  Our staff have been incredible and they have my full support in the decisions that each of them has made. 
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Best wishes,
 
On site teaching for children who are vulnerable or who have key worker parents (Y5 and 6 children)
Children will be able to attend school if one of the following is true:
·         A social worker is currently supporting your family
·         Your child has an EHCP
·         You are a key worker who must attend their place of work and are therefore not available to care for your child at home. To arrange for your child to attend school, you must send an email to: [email protected]

Please include all of the following information:
Name of child
Class of child
Your name
Days and times of required attendance for this week only

• There is a list of key worker categories at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Please contact us if you wish to discuss whether you are eligible. ​