Coronavirus Update 20.3.20

I am writing to thank you all for your patience and understanding during these very challenging times.  In my 37 years in special education I have never experienced anything quite like it!

As a school we all need to do our bit to reduce the spread of the COVID 19 virus.  The government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, social distancing and household isolation.  Please see the link below for the government guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID 19 is clear.  If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.  That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home wherever possible, and 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 “Government Guidance for Schools 20 March 2020”.

School have been asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children.  Children who are not safe to be at home, and children whose parents are critical to the COVID 19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.  Thank you to those parents who have taken the difficult decision to keep their child safe at home.  We would like to reassure you that this will be considered an authorised absence (you will not be fined).

 At Holly Grove we are striving to keep our school open for the families who are frontline critical workers.  The health and wellbeing of your child, your family, our staff and other pupils is paramount.  Please be aware that whilst we are taking every precaution possible to stop the spread of covid 19, social distancing in schools proves very difficult.  Staff and pupils are going home to their own families and you must be aware that this will increase the risk of further spreading the virus to your child and your family.

Please be aware that due to a shortage of staffing we will have to put classes together which further increases the risk of contamination.  Pupils will not necessarily be with their usual staff teams or with their friends and we are unable to follow our normal routines.  However, we will be providing structure for the children who remain with us.

If your child shows any signs of having an illness, please understand if we ask you to come and pick them up.  We are doing everything in our power to keep our staff and pupils safe.

Thank you again for all your support and thank you for helping us to keep everyone safe.

Kind regards

Karen & the Senior Leadership Team