Dear Parents & Carers,

School Re-Opening  – Monday 8^th March 2021

Welcome back to a new term and I hope this communication finds you all well and in good spirits. The February half-term was very different for all of us but I hope that you all managed to have some quality time together as a family. You have all been doing such an amazing job guiding your children at home with their learning through what has been the most difficult time we have ever experienced in education. I really can’t thank you enough for the support, positivity and love you have displayed throughout this period.

Yesterday’s announcement from the Prime Minister has clearly laid out plans for all children to return to school on Monday the 8^th of March and this is what we will aim for in respect of a full return. We will utilise next week to ensure that we are fully prepared for all of our pupils coming back into school. We continue to have a robust risk assessment in place which is continuously re-evaluated and revisions will be put in place where appropriate.

As children and school staff have still not received any vaccinations then the virus remains highly transmissible. We are therefore still in a prevention phase so many of the measures and expectations that you previously experienced will still be in place when the school fully re-opens. All school staff are conducting self-testing twice a week but this is once again just a preventative measure.

From the 8^th of March, face coverings will need to be worn by all adults visiting the site and all parents and carers will be expected to adhere to social distancing guidance of at least two metres. Prior to the most recent lockdown, some of our parents were continuing to mix either on or immediately off the school site which is not acceptable. If the expectations being set by the school are not adhered to then parents may be refused entry to the school site and alternative drop off and pick up procedures will be put in place.

We will once again aim to use a staggered start and end to the school day as well as additional entry and collection points. This will hopefully help us to avoid such lengthy queues but it will only be effective if parents and carers stick to their given drop off and pick up times.

Children will be expected to wear their full school uniform each day apart from when it is their P.E day. On a P.E day children can come to school wearing their full school P.E kit and trainers. If your child does not have the appropriate P.E kit then please contact www.schoolshopdirect.co.uk to place an order immediately.

Your child’s class teacher will inform you of P.E days on Class Dojo and on the school website. Please ensure that your child’s school uniform, coat and P.E kit are all clearly labelled. It is also essential that your child has a freshly filled and clearly labelled water bottle in school with them each day.   More detailed information regarding times and access will be sent out prior to the 8^th of March.

Thank you for your continued support during such challenging times.

Mr Dickson – Principal