Dear Parents/carers,

I would like to start by saying Happy New Year and I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas break.

As promised before the holidays, I am writing to update you on the situation with COVID as we return to school tomorrow. I really hoped that I would not have to be starting 2022 in this way.

We will maintain all of the restrictions and strategies in place last term.

These include:

• Staggered start and end times- playtimes and lunchtimes
• Use of separate entrances/exits
• Children remain in Year Group bubbles
• Frequent handwashing and sanitisation
• Cleaning regimes in place and continued sanitisation of rooms

These have been in place since September and have so far kept cases very low.

As you will have heard, this new variant spreads much more easily and quickly. I am asking that parents/carers return to some of the restrictions we had in place last year. 

Staff will be wearing masks at the gate and I ask that if you need to approach staff that you wear a mask.

Although wearing masks remains a personal choice, I would encourage parents/carers to wear them on school premises including when leaving and collecting your child/ren.

I would also ask that only one person brings and collects the children from school premises in Early Years and Key Sage 1 to stop too many people congregating together. As soon as children are collected, please leave the school grounds. The one way system will remain in place.

Please continue to line up at the school gates.

I would also like to point out that the wearing of masks in the classroom is for Secondary children only. Primary children do not need masks in school.

The guidance on testing and positive cases remains the same.

If you or a member of the household test positive for COVID, the children can still come to school if they are well but I would ask that they are tested using a Lateral Flow Test before attending.

Safety of the whole school community remains our number one priority as well as ensuring we can continue to keep the children in school.

Breakfast Club will be open tomorrow in both departments starting at 8.20am.

I thank you in advance for your continued support and I will keep you updated as needed.

Mrs Paula O’Rourke

Head teacher