Key Worker Information Gathering

Dear Parents/Guardians

I am writing to share with you the arrangements for children eligible to continue with supervised study at Tyndale Primary School. Please note that, if children are able to stay at home safely, they should. 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.

The government has announced the key workers list this morning.  This can be found at the following link:

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

It is important to stress that, if children can safely stay at home they should do.  You should only send them in to school, regardless of whether your occupation is on the list, if it is not safe for them to work from home. The guidelines are clear that the closure of schools is in place to limit the spread of the virus. With fewer children travelling to school the risk of spreading the virus to vulnerable groups is fewer.

There will also be children who would be vulnerable if they are at home regardless of parent’s occupations.  Schools are, therefore, being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable.

Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safe-guarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, children with child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

The following principles should be applied:

1. If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
2. If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.
3. Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
4. Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
5. Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.

Pupils attending school will not be taught lessons in the normal format, they will largely be accessing the same work as those children working from home and social distancing will be applied where possible. Our expectations around full school uniform and full equipment will still apply. Our Behaviour Policy will remain in place and, as per our Behaviour Policy, mobile phones and headphones will not be allowed in school. Your child will be provided with a meal if they are eligible for free school meals or if they are a KS1 pupil and in receipt of pupil premium.  

In order for us to plan effectively for next week we would ask you to contact the school via email (admin@tyndaleprimary.co.uk) if you need to book a place at the school, as it would be un-safe for your child to work from home.

Given the timeframes, on Monday we will allow all children who have booked a place to attend. From Tuesday, children who book a place where it is unsafe from them to work from home will need to provide evidence from their parent’s employer that based on their business continuity arrangements, their specific role is necessary for the continuation of this essential public service.

Many thanks for your support with this and we hope that things will go back to normal as quickly as is possible.

Mrs K Borrill

(Headteacher)