COVID-19 Update for all Parents/Carers, Staff and Governors - 17th March 2020

The Federation of Minster and Monkton      

            Church of England Primary Schools  

 

COVID-19 Update for all Parents/Carers, Staff and Governors - 17^th March 2020

 

Introduction

• Today's government advice states that anyone with a fever (37.8 or above) and/or a new persistent cough should self-isolate for 14 days if they live in a family setting.
• The family of anyone showing symptoms should also self-isolate for 14 days.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

• Prime Minister’s speech – 16^th March 2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-on-coronavirus-16-march-2020

• The national position is for schools to remain open and we have to follow this directive. We will endeavour to do this, as long as we have the staff to man it, until the Government directive changes. However we have now put extra measures into place that reflect the changes in advice – see below.

 

Absence

• If a pupil or member of staff is absent from school, please use normal absence reporting procedures.
• If the absence is related to a decision to self-isolate, please make this clear in the message you leave as we need to report numbers to the authorities (no names will be shared).
• If there are any confirmed cases of COVID-19, please inform the school as a matter of urgency.

 

Logistics

• Please assume that classes will operate as normal on a daily basis. Should the situation arise where staff or pupils numbers affect this, the Heads of School and the Executive Headteacher will make a decision about how to respond appropriately each day.

 

Curriculum

• As far as possible, normal timetabled lessons will run.
• It is possible/likely that we may have to merge classes together to cater for your child/children’s education.
• It is difficult to be precise about exactly what curriculum we will be able to offer as this will depend on staff absence and pupil numbers, but we will aim to deliver a ‘normal’ school day.
• Teachers will continue to stress the importance of good hygiene procedures and encourage high levels of hand washing.

 

Collective Worship

• As Church of England schools, Collective Worship on a daily basis will continue, however, we will no longer be meeting as a whole school.
• Each class will have their own Collective Worship time, this will reduce the need for larger numbers of children and staff to come together.

 

Visitors into school

• Non-essential visitors will be asked not to visit the schools until further notice (many of these professionals have already cancelled).
• Parents and Carers to complete a speedy pick up and drop off – please do not enter the school buildings unless you have been asked to collect a child due to illness or it is an emergency.
• Any visitor who does come into the school will be asked to follow the cleanliness guidelines expected.

 

Extra-Curricular Activities

• Extra-Curricular activities will cease from today (Tuesday 17^th March).
• Minster - More information regarding existing payments to follow.

 

Playtimes/Lunch times

• Minster - At playtime we will also open the All Weather Playing Surface as this will allow the children greater space to play in – to reduce confinement.
• Minster - Lunchtime – Lunch club will be limited to the numbers of children allowed.

 

Staff Training

• Non-essential staff training to be cancelled or postponed.

 

Staff Meetings/Staff Briefings

• Staff briefings on Fridays will no longer take place, there will be briefing notes available.
• Staff meetings – the Senior Leaders will make a decision each week on the format of the meeting dependent on the topic. The aim is to reduce the number of people gathering together.

 

Staffroom

• The staffroom is open for staff to choose whether they wish to use it or not, however, please ensure that the highest standards of cleanliness are observed.

 

Internal school communication

• Where it is feasible please use email/text/telephone for communication to reduce the amount of unnecessary face to face contact, especially with staff who fall into the vulnerable categories. 

 

Leadership

• As far as possible, normal leadership arrangements will prevail.
• If a Head of School is absent, the Executive Head teacher will deputise in that school.
• If this is not possible, at Minster the Assistant Headteachers will take responsibility for running the school and at Monkton this will be the Senior Teacher.
• If there are further issues, we may consider redeployment across schools.

 

Provision of work

• For staff who are absent and who are very unwell, there will be no expectation to provide work.
• For those who are absent because they have symptoms, but those symptoms would not normally prevent them from attending work, we would ask that set work is provided via email to the SLT Line Manager and Head of School. This will help in the setting of work in school.

 

Catering

• It is to be hoped that Caterlink will be able to provide adequate staffing to allow school meal functions to continue.
• Were this not to be the case, we would need to ask all pupils to bring packed lunches to school.
• In the event that this comes to pass, the Executive Headteacher and Head of School will make arrangements to ensure that there is provision for pupils who are entitled to Free School Meals.

 

School Trips

• France (Minster) - The government has decided that all school trips overseas will be suspended for the time being (30 days). We will take advice in relation to this development over the coming days and communicate further as soon as we are able. Without the FCO banning travel to France our insurance will not refund the money that Parents have paid so far.

• Hindleap (Minster and Monkton) -  We have been told by the Kent Outdoor Education Unit that we have to carry on planning for this trip, so we will follow the advice given to us by Kent.
• Other School Trips (Minster and Monkton) – Trips will be assessed in terms of viability and appropriateness according to the situation and guidelines at that time – it is an ever changing picture. Both schools will endeavor to keep Parents up to date with what is happening.

 

School Closure

• In the event that absence of staff makes keeping the school fully open impossible and/or a health and safety risk, the decision will be made to partially or fully close the school.
• This decision will be made by the Executive Headteacher and the Heads of School in light of advice from DFE, KCC and national bodies.
• It will be communicated to staff and parents via email, school websites and social media channels.
• In the event of a partial or full closure, we will endeavour to provide work for pupils to complete at home. This will be done through email.

 

Mrs W Stone 

Executive Headteacher