This week the Government has released details of plans for schools to get ready for a phased opening from the week commencingMonday, 1st June 2020.

 

The guidance recognises some important issues for primary schools and EY settings which will need to inform our planning. It remains important to reduce contact between people as much as possible. Some staff and children will need to continue to follow advice- that means they will need to remain at home.

 

There are still questions to be answered centrally, unreliable reporting in press and social media and much fear and anxiety about how we get there.

 

The guidance sets out an ambition for all primary children to have time in school before the summer if feasible. What it actually describes is a gradual, carefully planned, risk assessed increase in staff and pupil numbers, taking into account safety of adults and children at all times.

 

We will work together on this with the support of Public Health, Schools HR, Education Safeguarding, Health and Safety, wider Council colleagues and the Trade Unions, directly addressing the risks associated with COVID-19 in the context of our school, so that sensible measures can be put in place to control those risks for our children, staff and for you- our parents and carers, whose safety remains our priority.

 

For now our school remains closed until further notice, except for children of critical workers and vulnerable children, as part of the country’s ongoing response to coronavirus.

 

Take care of yourselves.

If you are able and would like to make a food donation to our weekly foodbank, a table has been set up in the entrance area to the school’s main office where any donations will be gratefully received. Eg. Pasta, rice, beans, tinned produce, tea, coffee. The Children’s Centre will be distributing these to our most vulnerable families within the local community every Friday.

Next week’s Free School Meal hampers will be available to collect on Monday 27th April, 11:30am - 12:30pm, from the school car park.

 

This week the government announced free school meal eligibility is being temporarily extended to include families who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF). If you believe your family may be eligible, please get in touch with the school office, which is open Monday to Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm.

 

We will keep any information shared with us about your family’s status confidential.

We would all like to wish the Downderry Primary School family a very Happy Easter. Stay Safe, Stay Home!