Monday will see the beginning of our reduced provision for those parents who are critical to the COVID-19 response. The Secretary of State for Education has posted;

‘You should only send your child to school on Monday if you have to, because your work is critical to our COVID-19 response. If you are able to keep your child at home, you should.

We want to support our critical key workers in doing their very challenging jobs, and I am full of admiration for all those on the front line to protect us; however the amount of requests we are getting is becoming unmanageable. As of today, we have had nearly 100 requests, which is nearly a quarter of the school community.

Unfortunately, due to the need to self-isolate, or staff who fall in to the at risk category, we have a significant reduction in staff and, as of today, 18 members of staff will be absent from school and working from home. I feel I need to share with you that I will also have to go into isolation following advice from my consultant. I have had a transplant and will be going into isolation until this is over for both my own safety, and to support our struggling NHS. I will be working remotely, and available for my staff and children as much as I can, but unfortunately I cannot be on site and that leaves me very conflicted.

Please, I urge you that if one parent is not a keyworker you reconsider your decision to send you child/ren into school. The evidence is clear. Self-isolation is the key to this virus being quashed as quickly as possible and, ultimately, saving lives.

Those parents who feel they still need to use the reduced provision will need to provide written confirmation that they are essential to the COVID-19 response from their place of work by Tuesday the 24th of March. Without this, your child/ren will not be able to access the provision.

School meals will be provided for those who are entitled to FSM, however the universal free school meals for KS1 children has been suspended by the government, so these parents will either have to pay for a school meal or provide their child with a packed lunch.

The following precautions are also going to be put in to place to protect all:

1. Staff, including the office staff will NOT be available to speak to parents. (Please do not enter the school office reception area, or stand near the school doors etc.) Any communication with staff must be done via letter, telephone or email
2. All children and staff will have their temperature taken as they enter the building and anyone with a high temperature or a cough will be sent home.
3. Staffing levels will be assessed on a daily basis and we reserve the right to reduce and prioritise provision accordingly.

Can I say a huge thank you to the Meadow View parents for their respectful considerate management of this huge challenge school is facing. This is an unprecedented challenge for all of us, it is so important as we move forward that we maintain this high standard - stronger together.

Finally, my heart goes out to all at this difficult time. Please stay safe, stay at home whenever you can, adhere to the social distancing rules so we can all be back to school together again as soon as is safe to do so.