Coronavirus Update – Soap and other things – 13.3.20

Dear parents and carers,

A few updates!

1) SOAP – We appreciate the fact that the hand washing regime is challenging. The children are amazing – they have adapted to it very well. However, we also recognise the dry skin and itching it can cause. Therefore, if needed, we are allowing you to send your child in with your preferred soap. School soap is obviously still available. Again, please be mindful of ingredients – it must not have nut, almond or coconut oil as an ingredient (allergies!). Please also label it! Finally, just to confirm that soap in the toilets is checked daily, and refilled during the day where needed.

2) CLOSING – Whilst the government have decided not to close schools, we don’t know what the next days and weeks will bring. IE At some point, we may close (partially or fully). We are very mindful of the implications of this for parents, and the decision is never taken easily. I can see three main reasons why we would close : (a) the government decide it (b) a case within the school is confirmed, and may require a deep clean or (c) staffing levels become low meaning that we cannot safely run the school. Therefore, please have a think through options in terms of childcare.

3) HOME WORK – If we were to close, we will endeavour to give work out to be done at home. We will be mindful that not everyone will have access to the internet, or be able to print. We are not sending work home now in the eventuality of closing, but rather if and when we close, we will then email out details of work that can be done. We are thinking through online options as well as practical activities. The ‘home’ work may not be available immediately, as it will take us time to put it all together.

4) STAY AT HOME ? – Government announcements move fast, and establishing exactly what the implications are can be tricky. Current guidance is that only the person who is displaying symptoms needs to self-isolate, and not the whole family. See ‘Stay at home guidance‘ from the government.

5) SCHOOL EVENTS – We are thinking through different school events coming up before the Easter break. We have not yet made decisions around cancelling them, and will inform you of any updates in due course.

6) ABSENCE – If your child is unwell, our normal absence procedures apply – please inform the school office by phone or email. Please do give details for the absence.

7) SCHOOL DINNERS – HC3S (our catering company) have informed us that we may need to run a reduced menu for school dinners, if staff absences require it.

Thank you for your ongoing support in these uncertain times.

Charles Applegate