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Posted on: 20/03/2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Update

In the light of further information from the government, I am writing again to clarify the arrangements for the partial closure of the school from Monday. The reason for the closure is, of course, to restrict the spread of coronavirus, and for this to happen the government has set a recommended limit on the percentage of the school population who can still attend from Monday. This is 20%, which in our case is approximately 78 children. Priority has to be given to vulnerable pupils, including those with Education & Health Care plans, which again for Westfield Junior School will be about 32 children. We also have about 8 children with an allocated social worker, which is the other definition of ‘vulnerable’. This leaves roughly 38 places available to children whose parents are key workers. The government last night released a list of occupations deemed to be key, which was far greater than originally anticipated. Contrary to popular rumour, they offered no advice about whether priority should be given to two-parent families where both parents are key workers, or one-parent families where the parent is a key worker. Consequently, based on the fact that only 38 places are available, allocation will be prioritised in the following order: • Pupils in a two-parent household where both parents are key workers, and pupils in a one-parent household where the parent is a key worker. • Pupils in a two-parent household where one parent is a key worker, but the other parent is not. I realise that under these circumstances we may not be able to accommodate all children whose parents are key workers, but I must stress that if we go substantially over the recommended 20% maximum, then there really is no point in closing the school at all. I should also remind parents / carers that the government has stipulated that children should remain at home wherever possible, regardless of their parents’ occupation. If you have any questions or concerns please do contact the school, but I would ask for your continuing patience, especially with the office staff, whilst we try to manage a situation that is constantly evolving. Thank you.
Posted on: 20/03/2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Update

At last, some clarification from the DfE and LA: The government has stated that "IF IT IS AT ALL POSSIBLE FOR CHILDREN TO BE AT HOME, THEN THEY SHOULD BE." If your child is unable to be at home, the school will ONLY remain open for vulnerable pupils, including those with an EHCP, and the children of parents when at least ONE of them is a "critical worker" (see: government list as previously posted). This provision will be available from 8:50am until 3:10pm and will be to care for and supervise young people, not to provide normal, national curriculum education. THE SCHOOL WILL NOT BE PROVIDING BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL PROVISION. However, Westfield Kids' Club will be open before and after school as usual for the same catergories of children - Tel. 01455 630832. Depending on staffing levels, it may be necessary to merge classes and/or supervise children in mixed-age classes. Even if you have already telephoned the school, we require all parents who qualify for a school place because of being a "critical worker" to complete the online form so that we can plan for next week and beyond.
Posted on: 16/03/2020

Updated guidance for education settings on coronavirus (COVID-19)

Today, the Department for Education and Public Health England have issued updated guidance for education settings on COVID-19. This includes childcare, schools, further and higher educational institutions. What you need to know: • staff, young people and children should stay at home if they are unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature to avoid spreading infection to others. Otherwise they should attend education or work as normal • if staff, young people or children become unwell on site with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature they should be sent home • clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces more often than usual using your standard cleaning products • supervise young children to ensure they wash their hands for 20 seconds more often than usual with soap and water or hand sanitiser and catch coughs and sneezes in tissues The updated guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19#contents Current advice remains in place: no education or children’s social care setting should close in response to a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case unless advised to do so by Public Health England. The Chief Medical Officer has advised that the impact of closing schools on both children’s education and on the workforce would be substantial, but the benefit to public health may not be. Decisions on future advice to education or children’s social care settings will be taken based on the latest and best scientific evidence, which at this stage suggests children are a lower risk group.
Posted on: 12/03/2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Update

To keep all members of our school safe the school leadership team continues to follow the latest advice and guidance from Public Health England regarding the Coronavirus. Following the recent government announcement the UK response to the Coronavirus has moved to Phase 2 - Delay. This has implications for our school community. The school will remain open to pupils and staff unless we are advised otherwise by Public Health Englan   If your child shows any symptoms of coronavirus, even if the symptoms are mild, they must stay at home for seven days. The NHS guidance can be found here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/             The symptoms include; A high temperature A new continuous cough Please call the school office on the first morning of any absence giving brief details of the reason for the absence. We appreciate that this may be inconvenient and present challenges to families but it is important that everyone follows the guidance to safeguard the wider community. Staff and volunteers have been given the same advice so there may be some minor alterations to staffing. We have made detailed plans to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum and that teaching and learning is able to continue. It is important to you and us that your child is not overly worried and is able to go about the school day as normal. If there are staff or pupils who stay at home because they are displaying mild symptoms please do not be alarmed. They are simply following the guidance. At this stage there are no known or suspected cases of COVID-19 linked to the school. Our hand washing routines are firmly established now and everyone in school is taking the necessary actions to stop the spread of Coronavirus. If you have any concerns or questions please contact the school office for clarification. Throughout this time we will keep you informed of any developments. Thank you for your support.

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