Dear parents

I am amending my post  yesterday to  change the wording of the bullet point relating to home learning.

I am sure the thought of all support from staff for home learning ceasing has caused understandable worry, especially for those in pupils in years 2,3,4 and 5. I can assure that, whilst home learning support may change due to staff having to work more in school, you will continue to receive regular support from staff; some of you will see no change at all. Trying to plan for the implementation of the Government request for the 1st June does not mean the abandonment of all Y2,3,4 and 5 pupils: I simply will not let that happen.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any concerns or comments as we re-open for more children and year groups over the coming weeks and months.

Kind regards

Mr Langford

Subsequent to the Prime Minister’s announcement on Sunday for schools to start preparing for the return of reception, year 1 and year 6 children from June 1st, senior leaders, staff and governors have spent a considerable amount of time and thought as to how to facilitate this request safely.

One of the key factors in determining how we potentially organise provision on the 1st June is pupil numbers. Parents and guardians of pupils in reception, year 1 and year 6 will therefore shortly be receiving a text asking whether or not  you will be sending you child to school on June 1st, if we were to open to YR,1 and 6. If you receive a text, please reply with a simple yes or no.

Factors to consider when deciding on your response:

• School will do everything in its power to ensure all Covid-19 recommended safety precautions are adhered to including social distancing and handwashing requirements. 
• Any parents taking the decision not to send their children to school on 1st June will face no action; absence will be recorded as authorised and no fines will be issued.
• Classes in school will be split into small groups to ensure that social distancing rules will be maintained. Each group will stay with the same member of staff for all their time in school and each group will not mix, at any time, with other groups within school. Your child may not be with their class teacher.
• Home learning will cease for classes whose teacher is required to cover reception, year 1 and year 6 children within school.
• Entry and exit times will be staggered to avoid congestion and to facilitate social distancing.

Please rest assured that my overriding intention, which will be the bedrock of all decisions made, is to ensure that every possible precaution is taken to ensure all staff and pupils remain safe as we look to re-open our school when lockdown rules are eased.

The announcement on Sunday has necessitated the need to ask for reception, year 1 and year 6 families to inform us of their decision whether or not to send their children to school on June 1st. I will be asking for the views of the wider school population when we look to open our doors for more year groups in the future.

I am fully aware of the gravity of the decisions we will be making over the next few weeks: schools are vital institutions which underpin the fabric of their communities. Please rest assured that I, senior leaders and governors, will continue to strive to balance the needs of all our community whilst ensuring the safety of all during this terrible pandemic.

Thank you for your continued support, especially for staff providing home, school learning and for staff providing support for the children of our key workers. It really is appreciated.

Kind regards and stay safe

Mr Langford