4 January 2021
Dear parents/carers,
You will be aware that current government advice is that most primary schools should remain open to all pupils if possible. However, due to increasing concerns about the transition rates of the new strain of coronavirus in our locality and as a consequence of reducing staffing levels, it has unfortunately become necessary to close school.
From tomorrow morning, (Tuesday 5 January,) the school will be closed for MOST pupils but will accommodate children of workers critical to the Covid-19 response until Monday 18 January in the first instance. If you are a key worker who falls into any of the categories listed below, and would like to reserve a Key Worker place in school for your son or daughter, please complete the registration form (click here to download it: Key worker registration form) and email it to stjosephgilesgate@durhamlearning.net , marking the subject of your email as KEY WORKER.
It is essential that you email the school with this information for safeguarding purposes as it is crucial that we have information in school about who will be attending.
The situation will be monitored closely and we will update parents and carers each week with updated information.
All pupils attending school must wear full school uniform and bring a packed lunch. School will be open from 9am to 3.15pm.
If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below then your children will be prioritised for education provision:
Health and social care
Education and childcare
Key public services
Local and national government
Food and other necessary goods
Public safety and national security
Transport
Utilities, communication and financial services
Work will be set daily on Class Dojo for all pupils. If you have difficulty accessing this please email school to notify us so that we can make suitable arrangements for you.
We are currently putting in place measures to ensure that all families entitled to free school meals will receive support for this and we will be in touch at the earliest opportunity to confirm arrangements.
Our contingency planning also extends to those pupils who are accessing additional pastoral support for mental health and wellbeing. We would like to take this opportunity to remind pupils about the on-line mental health services ‘Young Minds’ which is free and confidential. This can be accessed at www.youngminds.org.uk. Useful apps are ‘Mindshift’ and ‘Sam.’
We appreciate that the temporary closure will have a significant impact on you and your family and that the short notice of the decision will be challenging. However, we know that you will recognise that the situation is rapidly changing and we must respond swiftly to ensure we do all we can to keep our school community safe. We will keep in touch via the school website and Class Dojo with any updates as the situation develops. If you want to get in touch please do not hesitate to do so via email at stjosephgilesgate@durhamlearning.net.
Please use NHS 111 online if you or your child feels ill and you want to know what to do next. Please continue to follow the advice of Public Health and the government in the days and weeks ahead.
This is a very difficult time for everyone in our school and wider community. Thank you so much for your understanding and continued support. Please be assured of our prayers at this time; we hope that you and your family remain well.
Yours sincerely,
B A Reilly-O’Donnell
Interim Head Teacher
