Dear Parent/Carer
We are living in challenging and worrying times. Over the past two months you have played a significant part in the national response to the Coronavirus pandemic by being at home with your child(ren) and supporting their continued learning, alongside your own work and wellbeing. I thank you for this. Your action has helped to reduce the spread of the virus and is helping to save lives. I thank you for this.
I am sure that many of you will have now seen and read the updates from the Prime Minister and Government regarding the modification of the lockdown arrangements and subsequent announcement of the reopening of Early Years, Year 1 and Year 6 classes and some face-to-face contact with their teachers for children in years 10 and 12 from 1st June. This will be in addition to continuing to accommodate children of key workers and vulnerable students.
The school has now started to put plans in place for re-opening but I must emphasise that this is part of the government’s conditional plan and dependant on all 5 of their key tests being met.
All of us want to get children back into school as soon as it is safe to do so. We do not want to see our classrooms empty for a day longer than necessary. However, in re-opening in a phased and gradual way, our first priority has to be the health and well-being of all students, their families and the staff. We are currently completing a full and thorough Health and Safety risk assessment and exploring how a phased return can be successfully achieved. We know that you will understand that the safety of everyone in the school community is paramount.
At Sydney Russell we will ensure Government’s guidance is followed. For example, when students return to us in June, they must be in a class of no more than 15, with no mixing with others outside of that class. For students from Year 6 upwards classrooms have to be set-up for two metre social distancing. Hygiene will be crucial and we are planning to have cleaners on-site all day and hand sanitisers readily available.
The Government has made it clear that it is not compulsory for parents to send their children to school at this time and there will be no penalties if you choose to keep your child(ren) at home. These are unprecedented times and you will need to carefully consider if it is appropriate to send in your child based on your own family situation. At Sydney Russell I can assure you that the health and safety of all students, parents and staff will be the overriding factor determining when and how our students return in June.
In the meantime, I would like to thank you for your continued support in helping your child(ren) access the remote learning opportunities available. These will remain active for the foreseeable future. Please try not to worry. Sydney Russell will always act in the best interests of our families, children and staff and will do our very best to keep everyone safe as we navigate through this complex time together.
Yours sincerely
Janis Davies
Principal