Important information for parents/carers from:
Caroline O’Neill
Strategic Director
Children, Adults and Families
Dear Parent/Carer
I am sure you know that the Prime Minister’s intention is to get our children back to
school, beginning on 1st June. If the conditions are right, children in Nursery,
Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 are expected to begin school again. Three weeks later
the plan is that all other year groups would return to school.
Social distancing is so important that it has stopped us from meeting loved ones
outside our households, shopping, and socialising. In simple terms, keeping apart
stops coronavirus from spreading.
Government guidance acknowledges that it would be impossible to keep social
distancing in school, especially for the youngest children.
While very few children have been badly affected by the virus, we still do not know
how much they pass it on to each other, to school staff and to family members, even
when they show no symptoms.
Schools across the country are beginning to plan for the return of increasing
numbers of children, but most headteachers are doing this with a heavy heart. They
are worried that the conditions for safe return are not yet in place.
I have asked schools to survey parents to gain a greater understanding of those of
you that would want to send their children back at this time.
I want to be clear that there is no guarantee of a place currently even if you wish
your children to return to school. There may not be enough classrooms to
accommodate demand, or enough healthy or non-shielding staff available despite
the very best efforts of the school leader.
Each school building is unique and there are limits to the number of children who can
be accommodated according to government guidelines. It may be that the maximum
number of children in a classroom is as low as seven or eight. If there are only 7
teaching spaces this limits the maximum number of children in school to 56 at any
one time.
If your child returns to school, they may not have the same teacher, be taught
alongside their friends, or with the support from other staff that they may be used to.
The school day will look very different and there will be a limited range of activities
they can do. Younger children will have a narrow range of resources and equipment
to play with. No soft furnishings or soft, and difficult to clean, resources are allowed.
We all want our normal lives back. We all want to see happy, safe children in school.
Schools will do all they can to keep your child safe, but they cannot guarantee that
they will be as safe at school as they would be at home. The government have made
it clear that there will be no penalties for parents who choose not to send their
children to school at the present time.
I know your child’s school will be in touch with more details about how they intend to
implement government guidelines. I can reassure you that they have planned
alongside the local authority to make their school as safe as they can for your
children.
Yours sincerely
Caroline O’Neill
Strategic Director
Children, Adults and Families
Councillor Gary Haley
Cabinet Member
Children and Young People
If you would like to download a copy of this letter then please click on the link below.
