The list is finally out but before you go online to read it, I would like to implore you to remember the following things:

Dear Parents and Carers of Team Wrockers,

To quote the government, as a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus and we, as a school, are more than happy to do our bit.  BUT please remember that we have children and families too who we wish to protect. We will obviously be taking any infections coming into school home with us and many staff are already making the difficult decision that they won’t be seeing vulnerable relatives, such as my own elderly mum, for the next few months specifically because we may well be at more risk of catching the virus than other more isolated professions. My staff numbers are reduced for the same reasons that your families may not be at work and I can only see numbers reducing in the coming weeks.

So please, if your children can stay safely at home,  they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading. 

The government has asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend. 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. Some of our children are already classed as vulnerable: asthmatic, diabetic, epileptic children as well as those with underlying health conditions and these should obviously be kept safe at home away from any risk.

Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined by the Government. You should get in touch with your employer who will be able to confirm if your role is essential or not. Many parents working in these sectors will be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. Is there a non-vulnerable adult that could help out?

Another point to remember is that we will not be teaching the children, merely providing a safe care setting and keeping the children occupied (with worksheets and Maths/English activities). Therefore, please consider how a lack of regularity and routine in school will affect them, particularly as the children will almost certainly not be with their usual staff. We have been told that staff from other schools may be asked to care for our children if we do not have the necessary numbers of adults. Any sign of children in school being affected and displaying unsuitable behaviour will necessitate you collecting them and obviously, any child with symptoms of Coronavirus will also be sent home for 14 days.

A final point: we are already into our last boxes of soap and toilet rolls so as well as staff numbers, we are concerned that these may well run out too!

I am NOT telling you that your child will not be welcome in school next week; I am asking you to do your bit too. If you are a key worker and there is absolutely no one then we will care for them as best we can for as long as we can. We can only do that by keeping ourselves and our families safe and healthy – please consider that if you still feel you will need to use us next week.

Any children who come in next week will need to be signed in by an adult at 8:45 and attend in school uniform with a packed lunch (unless they are FSM) There will be no breakfast buddies or after school clubs due to lack of staff.

Please don’t hesitate to call me or email if I can help – Julie.henry1@taw.org.uk

Many thanks as always and please keep safe,

Julie