Dear Parents/Carers
We hope that you and your children are well. I am sure that you are aware of the confusing situation regarding school reopening, the messages from teaching and support staff unions and the government’s position at the time of writing. I am also very much aware that things can change at a moment’s notice and appreciate how disruptive this can be for children, parents and staff. This message is intended to share our current position, which is subject to change in light of government instruction or advice from the Local Authority or through staff absence. It could very much be the case that by the time you read this message the instructions to school could be different, following the recently announced briefing at 8pm, which is typical of the last minute nature of many of the announcements. It may be prudent to have arrangements in place should this be the case.
When schools were told to close in March, we received clear advice from the Local Authority and eventually the DfE over the best course to take, backed up by local data from Public Health. At the time of writing, the Local Authority have left it up to individual schools to decide with no instructions or data.
Having discussed the options with staff and governors, we have decided to open tomorrow under similar arrangements to last term. This will be the plan until you receive further communications, which could be after the briefing tonight should an immediate lockdown be called. As I mentioned on last week’s app message, it is crucial that your child is fit and healthy. Typical childhood illnesses like colds cause undue stress and concern at this time so if you have any doubts please keep your child off school and if they have COVID symptoms get a test as soon as possible.
Should we be forced to close to all but key workers and vulnerable children, we will be able to offer remote education through live or recorded lessons on Microsoft TEAMs or other video links. More information will follow should this be the case. Please try to access TEAMS with the login details that were sent at the end of term to each child. If you have not received these please email montalbo@durhamlearning.net Paper copies of activities will be available should you prefer this.
Should school be closed after tonight’s announcement, work will be provided from Wednesday 6th January. We have information on vulnerable children (such as children who are involved with social workers or have an EHCP) and we have information on critical workers from the previous lockdown but appreciate that circumstances may have changed. Please email montalbo@durhamlearning.net if your child/children will be attending should a further lockdown be announced.
Kind regards
Mr Minikin
