St George And St Teresa Catholic Primary School

Dear Parents and Carers,

I have had further advice and this is what it recommends.  Every school has been asked to stay open with a small, skeleton of staff to look after a few children – those who are vulnerable and those of key workers who have no alternative child care arrangements.  We have been asked to do this for the foreseeable future – this has included what would have been the two weeks Easter holiday and possible the May half term. I will be writing to parents next week to confirm how many would need childcare over these ‘holiday periods’. 

The advice is still, if at all possible, and you have a way of keeping your child at home, then that is what you should do.  

If one parent is working or is able to work from home, then your child needs to stay at home.  It is about stopping the spread of COVID-19.  I am asking you to only send your child if you have no alternative arrangements. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

I am going to work with the staff toady to plan a skeleton timetable and rota of who will be in to cover.  Please be aware that if your child comes to school – they will not be accessing the same education as normally.  This is about childcare not education.  I will do my best to keep the school open, however, should it be that we do not have enough staff to cover, then I will be forced to fully close.

Please see the link to what is classed as a key worker and the advice from the government.  I will ask the office to get in touch with all those who have asked for childcare and when we have confirmed later today the list of children who will be in school, we will get back in touch to let you know timings of the school day and arrangements for lunch etc.  I am envisioning that we can open from 7:30am until 6pm as normal – but again this will depend on staff. 

I am hopeful one way or another that we can provide lunch at school and will confirm this later.  Any child who has free school meals and who will not be in school, I am trying to organise supermarket vouchers to help support families during the closure.  Again, I will let you know.

I am so touched by the lovely messages of thanks and support form you all – I have read them all to the staff – it means so much.  The staff team have been amazing – I really couldn’t ask for more.

I thank you all again for your patience and support. 

I will be in touch with you all regularly and wish you all the very best.

Prayers and best wishes,

Nicola Wright