Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope this letter finds you and your family well in these difficult times. I know most of you
have been working closely with your child’s school, during the last few weeks, to provide a
home learning programme.
I am sure you will be aware that, following the government’s update guidance on education
settings, there are provisional plans for schools to begin to expand the current offer and
welcome back children, in some year groups, from 1st June. This will only go ahead if the
government is confident that the five key tests it has set out suggest that this is
appropriate.
Of course, every school wants to welcome children back as soon as possible, but
arrangements will vary from school to school, according to different circumstances. The
priority, at all times, will be the safety of children, families and staff. The school’s risk
assessment will be used to decide what the school can and cannot provide.
If your child has been attending school during the last few weeks, he or she should
continue to do so.
Primary and Nursery schools have been asked to plan for the readmission of children in
Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, from 1st June, at the earliest.
Secondary schools, sixth form and further education colleges, including alternative
provisions, have ben asked to offer some face-to-face support for students in years 10 and
12, who were due to take exams this summer.
Special schools have been asked to plan a phased return, but without a focus on particular
year groups.
Every school’s head teacher and governing body or trust board will be planning
accordingly to reopen for the above year groups. In order to prepare, each school will
undertake a very thorough risk assessment.
This will involve a careful consideration of the individual school’s circumstances, buildings
and staffing levels to ensure they are able to keep children, families and staff safe.
These plans will involve a whole range of protective measures to reduce the risk of
spreading infection – including, for example, smaller teaching groups, staggered breaks
and lunches, use of outdoor spaces, arrangements for drop-off and collection and frequent
cleaning of surfaces.
Please be reassured that your child’s school will contact you before 1st June to let you
know the arrangements they have made and whether your child can start re-attending.
Parents will not be fined for non-attendance at this time.
Yours sincerely
Alison Hurley
Director, Education and Skills
