23^rd March 2020

Dear parents/carers,

As parents will be aware, school is now closed for everyone except:

-Children of critical workers

-Vulnerable children

Please see the latest published guidance from Government for parents and carers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

Thank you to parents for taking the advice issued on Friday.  The list of critical workers can be found here;

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Update on Food

For students accessing childcare provision in school, food will be provided in the usual way.  For all other students, families can access food supplies from Blacon Community Store, which is located by Western Avenue Medical Services.  School will be supplying the community store with food from our suppliers and this will be available between 9 and 1 each day from Monday. There has been a delivery this morning.  We have provided a list of all students from Blacon High School and we ask that you take the student’s planner when accessing the food and packages which will be created in collaboration with the store. We have been contacting families self-isolating, to arrange delivery of food parcels which have been created by staff in school today.  If you have any concerns or need any support, please contact the main school reception.  We will have staff on duty in reception every day whilst the school remains open, along with a skeleton staff supporting students in school and maintaining telephone contact with some of our most vulnerable families.

Further details on exams and grades announced

New details regarding the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on summer exams has been released.

The exam regulator, Ofqual, and exam boards will work with teachers to provide grades to students whose exams have been cancelled this summer, following actions taken to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Ofqual and exam boards will be discussing with teachers’ representatives before finalising an approach, to ensure that it is as fair as possible.

Find details on the impact on summer exams here:

-https://www.gov.uk/government/news/further-details-on-exams-and-grades-announced

More information will be provided to parents and students in Year 11 as soon as possible.

Handwashing advice

The most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves is to wash their hands more often, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water. Public Health England recommends that in addition to handwashing before eating, and after coughing and sneezing, everyone should also wash hands after using toilets and travelling on public transport.

The latest guidance and video on hand washing can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Department for Education coronavirus helpline

The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday), 10am to 4pm (Saturday to Sunday)

Please note, we are currently experiencing high volumes of calls. We appreciate your patience at this time and apologise for any wait that you may experience. To ensure that we answer your calls as quickly as possible, we have now extended our opening hours to cover weekends and are increasing the number of call handlers available to answer your calls.

Social Distancing

Please do follow the guidance from Government about social distancing to reduce the spread of the virus.

Further details can be found by visiting https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Avoid large and small gatherings in public spaces, noting that pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and similar venues are currently shut as infections spread easily in closed spaces where people gather together.  Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social-media.  Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.  Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is practicable.

Thank you for your support in these difficult times. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Regards,

Rachel Hudson

Headteacher