** UPDATE re school opening in January **

2nd January 2021

 

**LATEST**

 

Dear All,

 

On 1st January the Government made the decision to close ALL primary schools in London until 18th January 2021. So, this means only special schools are to remain open.

 

Whilst we will remain open, we would ask you to  consider your personal circumstances and your child/ young person’s needs, and if you can keep them safe at home to  reduce  social contact over the next two weeks, this will be in line with what is being asked of all other schools for all other children and YP.  We will support any decision you make in regards to sending your child or young person to school, but would encourage you to be mindful of the extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in and we will respect and support  whatever decision you make. Please read the letter below re notifying us if you intend to keep your child/young person at home in the short term and to advise you that remote learning will be provided.

 

Thank you for your continuing support.

 

Mrs Celia Dawson.

 

 

Dear all

 

As you will all be aware the situation with Covid19 is constantly changing.

This letter is to bring you up to date with the current changes and expectations.

 

I can confirm that yesterday evening the Government took steps to contain the recent increase in cases by closing primary and secondary school for the first two weeks of term in some areas; they are expecting to return fully on 18th January 2021.

 

Secondary schools are also being asked to introduce in school weekly testing for staff and pupils. This is still the subject of discussion and guidance is still awaited on how this might best be implemented both in secondary and special schools.

 

As a result of the current public health emergency in London and the South East, the London Borough of Merton has been directed that none of its secondary or primary schools can now open for the next two weeks, except to the children of key workers and for the most vulnerable children who cannot be safely looked after to access their remote learning at home.

 

Special schools have been asked by the Department of Education to remain open to pupils.  In discussion with the LA and the Governing Body, we are consulting you regarding your personal decision about your child’s/ YPs return to school. The offer of returning to school is available OR if you would prefer to keep your child at home until 18th January we can support the provision of home learning. We are asking you to let us know if you intend to keep your child or young person at home.

 

Please text the school mobile number 07934731563 by Sunday 3rd January at 1.00pm to let us know if your child will NOT return on Tuesday 5th January 2021. Text us your child/ YPs full name.  If you do not contact us we will assume you want your child/ YPs to return to school as normal. If we need to clarify the situation with you, you will receive a call on our Inset Day, Monday 4th January.

 

If you choose to keep your child home the provision of home learning is for a fixed period of two weeks, during this time we will be reviewing the guidance that is being issued by the Department for Education and seeking further advice. During this time we hope that reduced numbers and minimised social contact will help support to break the current increasing local number of cases.

 

Whilst we will remain open during these first two weeks of term, we will only be able to do so if we have the staffing capacity to keep children safe and supported, to provide LA transport where relevant and to respond to any positive cases of Covid19 that we hear about. Some temporary closures might be necessary during this time. We will call you directly if there are any changes to the offer the school can make. In this event, will prioritise children of key workers and any pupils considered additionally vulnerable to continue to attend.

 

We will continue to update you as soon as we have any news or further Guidance.

 

Can I thank you once again for your ongoing support at this most challenging time. We will continue to do all we can as a school community to keep your child/ YP safe and enjoying  life.

 

Stay safe and well.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Mrs Celia Dawson 

 

Headteacher