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:
- 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
- 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
- Reliable data from SAGE showing that the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels across the board
- Be confident that the range of operational challenges, including testing capacity and PPE, are in hand, with supply able to meet future demand
- 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 28th 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 1st 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
