School Closures Guidance, PLEASE READ

Dear Parents/Guardians,
 
Further to the announcement that all schools should close from today but should provide childcare for vulnerable children and those who have parents who are key workers, the government and Buckinghamshire County Council have issued guidance to support schools and families with who should access school provision from Monday.
The full guidance, including the detail around which employees are classed as key workers, can be found 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 see the guidance below for parents and carers:
​https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers
The key principles behind the provision are:

• If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
• If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them. 
• Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
• Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
• Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.

As a school we wish to support families at this difficult time while ensuring that we support the social distancing measures that the government have put in place to help manage the coronavirus pandemic. I would ask parents to please reflect carefully on this guidance and contact the school office by email or phone if a school place is needed for your child and you haven’t contacted us already.
 
Every effort will be made to meet the needs of the community with regards to childcare provision based on the principles above but, as I am sure you will understand, such measures will be reviewed daily based on the school’s capacity due to staff illness.
 
Thank you for your continued support.
 
Kind regards

​Miss Digweed