Stanmore Post - Arrangements for January 2021
Dear Parents and Carers
I hope that you had a happy and healthy Christmas break. Apologies for this late communication, as you will be aware the situation regarding the opening of schools has been in debate up to and including today.
I write to clarify the position regarding the return to school for our children at Stanmore Primary School. As always we are looking to set out the very best course of action for our school community in line with the latest Government and Local Authority Guidance.
Following the Government announcement on Wednesday 30th December, I can confirm that our school will be open as planned on Monday 4th January and all children are expected to return. The Government has published a list of Local Authorities in Tier 4 where they feel primary schools should not reopen, Stanmore Primary is not on that list. Therefore, our start to term will begin as planned on 4th January.
Understandably some parents are concerned with the news of rising numbers of cases due to the spread of the new variant of the virus. News this morning from the Prime Minister indicates that restrictions may get 'tougher' in the coming weeks and that the situation including school closures remain under review.
With that in mind we have taken the decision to strengthen our risk assessment further. The enhanced measures will be in place for two weeks. By Monday 18th January it is likely that analysis of the latest Tier 4 restrictions will be available and the DFE and Local Authority will provide further guidance to Head teachers.
The enhanced measures include:
Postponing of RWI and other small intervention groups where children mix across a year group
Staggering of break times to further restrict mixing of bubbles
Further limiting adult movement between classes to that which is absolutely necessary to provide the core curriculum
Parents of children in Catkins, Rowan and Maple without older siblings in KS2 to collect children at 3pm to reduce the number of adults on the school site at the end of the day. Please leave the site promptly
Continuing a rigorous programme of handwashing
Maintaining ventilation - ensure children are warmly dressed with layers
Staff to wear masks in corridors and shared spaces
All parents to wear facemasks on the school site
One parent per child on site wherever possible
These enhanced measures will be reviewed on Friday 15th January. I am aware that the small group interventions and further limiting of adults moving between bubbles is a compromise to the quality of education. Therefore this measure is in place for the shortest possible time.
Children who are deemed "clinically extremely vulnerable" will have received a letter from their doctor confirming this, and should not return on 4th January. With regard to children whose parents are deemed clinically extremely vulnerable, the DfE's guidance (published on 24th December) states "Children and young people whose parents or carers are clinically extremely vulnerable can continue to go to school."
Staff who are deemed "clinically extremely vulnerable" will also have received a letter from their doctor confirming this and therefore deployment of staff may need to be changed for this purpose and to accommodate other absences i.e. isolating throughout the coming weeks. We will endeavour to keep as much continuity as possible for the children, but need to be clear that currently this may not always be possible to achieve; keeping classes open will be our first priority.
The confirmation that primary schools will open as usual tomorrow will come as a relief to some families - and will create a great deal of anxiety to others. To those who feel anxious, please be assured that we are rigorously following the risk assessments and infection control measures laid down by the DfE, and will continue to keep these under review, following Government guidance. As a school, we are committed to doing whatever we can to protect children and staff whilst doing our very best to deliver learning within the Government expectations.
We also have to be mindful that this is a changing situation, and the Government may make changes to their plans accordingly - which we will then have to implement. However, until that point, we have to work with the current expectations but will take this opportunity to assure you that we will be in touch if and when any further changes are made. We will communicate this on our website and via text message.
Please continue to help us by respecting the Government's directives on controlling the COVID pandemic.
Thank you for your ongoing support; this is a particularly challenging context for everyone, and your kind words and support mean a great deal. Please continue to contact us via the admin office if you have any concerns. We are here to help as much as we possibly can.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year. There is every indication that the new vaccine and increased testing offers hope that 2021 will be a brighter year.
Best wishes,
Sharon Taylor
Headteacher