Dear Parent/Carer

Please see below letter sent on behalf of Telford & Wrekin Council

School Letter 2020 Telford & Wrekin

Dear Parents/Carers,

Just so you know, we have our finger firmly on the pulse regarding information that is coming out on a daily basis. We are watching and we are listening…

I know that there is countrywide uncertainty and that school staff up and down the country are scratching their heads with mixed feelings.

Right from the start, we have put our faith in the DfE and that is because of their decisions being ‘informed by the best possible scientific and medical advice.’

We remain impartial by way of political views and we steer clear of other views so as to remain as clear as possible when decision making. We need to trust the experts in science and disease in these times, and we trust that the Government are talking to those people that know more than we certainly do.

So the plan at Newdale remains in line with the latest DfE release…

Schools, colleges and nurseries across England remain on track to open to more children from 1 June, the Prime Minister confirmed today (24 May 2020).

Primary schools will welcome back children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, while nurseries and other early years providers will begin welcoming back children of all ages.

In line with our roadmap setting out how the UK will adjust its response to the virus, our approach to schools remains a cautious, phased one. It is also broadly in line with other European countries.

We continue to consider all the evidence, as we said we would, and will continue to work with schools, teachers and unions over the coming week before making a final decision.

It also remains the case that schools will only reopen to more children if the government’s five tests are met by Thursday 28 May.

In the coming days, the Prime Minister will set out the government’s progress in meeting these five tests, which are:

1. Protect the NHS’s ability to cope. We must be confident that we are able to provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment right across the UK
2. See a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rates from COVID-19 so we are confident that we have moved beyond the peak
3. Reliable data from SAGE showing that the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels across the board
4. Be confident that the range of operational challenges, including testing capacity and PPE, are in hand, with supply able to meet future demand
5. Be confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelms the NHS

Today’s announcement comes after a constructive period of consultation with schools, teachers and unions, led by the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.

Clear, detailed guidance has been published by the Department for Education on how schools can open in a way which is safe for children, teachers and parents.

While we recognise that full social distancing may not be possible, our guidance sets out a range of measures to protect children and staff. This includes:

• reducing the size of classes and keeping children in small groups without mixing with others
• staggered break and lunch times, as well as drop offs and pickups
• increasing the frequency of cleaning, reducing the used of shared items and utilising outdoor space

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

Our priority is the education and welfare of all children and young people across the country. That is why we want to start a phased wider opening of nurseries, school and colleges is informed by the best possible scientific and medical advice.

We will continue to work with the sector to support them to prepare for wider opening and ensure all children and young people can continue to receive the best care, education and training possible.

 Thursday 28^th May is the final decision day and we wait to hear what is said on this day and immediately action plan following the release. We are all set to open to Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 (to those children whose parents selected ‘yes’ in our survey) on the 1^st June and we are lucky enough to be big enough to accommodate the year groups they suggest. That said, if the advice is to remain cautious or delay, that is exactly what we will do.

I thank you for your continued support and trust. As ever, when we know more, you will too!

Miss Cook

Hot school lunches and sandwiches will continue to be provided from 1st June for children attending school.  There is no change to the menu, however there may be a few changes that we will inform you of.  There will be no water jugs on the table, children will need to bring their own water bottle with them.

Please note that we will start on week one of the existing menu.

School lunch is £2.35

Dear Parent/Carer,

Since the Covid19 outbreak, the number of domestic abuse cases within Telford have unfortunately increased.  If you are experiencing domestic abuse, whatever form it may take, it can be difficult to know where to turn.

Similarly, you may suspect a friend or family member is being abused by a partner and don’t know what to do.  We want you to know that, as well as the police, there are a range of agencies and organisations that can offer confidential advice and provide support for adults and children involved in domestic abuse. Please see the attached document for help and advice as well as key contact information.

Miss Clay

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Domestic Abuse Support 2020 for parents

Please see attached letter.

Additional information concerning the re-opening of school on the 1st June 2020

Dear Parents/Carers,

I know all of you will be anxious to know what measures we are putting in place to reduce risk in our school. The Newdale team have all been working hard on a robust plan to ensure the best possible safety around reopening school. Please find below measures we are putting in place:

• Very regular handwashing throughout the day (please ensure they do this just before leaving for school and as soon as they arrive home). We do not require that children wear masks or gloves – this is in line with government guidance – Coronavirus: implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings.

 Personal protective equipment (PPE) including face coverings and face masks

Wearing a face covering or face mask in schools or other education settings is not recommended. Face coverings may be beneficial for short periods indoors where there is a risk of close social contact with people you do not usually meet and where social distancing and other measures cannot be maintained, for example on public transport or in some shops. This does not apply to schools or other education settings. Schools and other education or childcare settings should therefore not require staff, children and learners to wear face coverings. Changing habits, cleaning and hygiene are effective measures in controlling the spread of the virus. Face coverings (or any form of medical mask where instructed to be used for specific clinical reasons) should not be worn in any circumstance by those who may not be able to handle them as directed (for example, young children, or those with special educational needs or disabilities) as it may inadvertently increase the risk of transmission.

• We have plenty in supply of soap and disposable towels as well as sterilising fluid for regular toy/resource cleaning.
• Staggered start and end of day times to ensure we do not have large numbers of children on site at any one time (please do not arrive early or late as we need to be strict with times).
• As few parents on site as possible with staff to ensure swift drop off and pick up. Entry and exit points staffed to ensure sensible queueing and no congregations of people.
• Staggered and zoned playtimes/lunchtimes to ensure lots of space to play safely.
• Reduced lunchtime to limit the risk of close contact with others.
• Increased times outdoors when learning wherever possible.
• Maximum class sizes of 15 with the same staff (where possible).
• Spaced out classrooms with high risk items that are difficult to clean removed.
• Increased ventilation in classrooms.
• Identified pathways through school to minimise contact.
• Increased toilet cleaning and regular classroom cleaning with antiviral disinfectant which is known to kill coronavirus.
• Packed lunch and school dinners separated to allow for smaller numbers of children sat eating together.
• Children to come to school in PE kit – tracksuit bottoms and trainers with a school uniform jumper to reduce risk when children get changed.
• Children to be allocated stationary to use as their own, rather than sharing.
• Children to bring in own water bottle and take home for careful washing each day.
• Limited items to be brought in from home to reduce risk: packed lunch (unless having a school dinner), base camp/forest school footwear, medication, water bottle. Please do not send in any other items, including wonderful work that has been completed so far over lockdown – this can be photographed and uploaded to the school blog.
• Any messages for the school team will need to be communicated through the office via the telephone, email or text please to avoid having parents on site unnecessarily.

I really do hope you are reassured by this list and hope you can see we really are trying our best to follow guidelines and keep both children and staff as safe as possible.

You will soon be sent notification from the Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 lead as to your child’s start/end times,  where your entry and exit points are, your kit requirements, lunch organisation and much more.

Kind regards,

Miss Cook

Dear Parents/Carers,

 As you will have no doubt heard, yesterday the Prime Minister outlined guidelines that schools MAY return on a phased opening from June 1^st starting with Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.  At this moment we are waiting for further guidelines from the Government and the local authority.  We will of course update you with more information as it becomes clearer to us.

 Thank you for your continued patience during this difficult time.

 Kind regards

Miss Cook

Headteacher