06.01.21 Closure of Schools due to Coronavirus

Re: Closure of Schools due to Coronavirus

We would like to thank you all for your patience at this difficult time.

As I am sure you heard yesterday the Chief Minister ordered the closure of most schools for most pupils on the Isle of Man from the end of school today.

We know that parents/carers will seek to keep their children safe by keeping them at home and will follow the Government’s advice.We very much appreciate your support in this and know that, if we all work together, we have the best chance of reducing the spread of Covid-19.

The Government has asked parents to keep their children at home wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who are designated as ‘vulnerable’ or are the children of ‘key workers’.

It is important to understand that:

• If it is possible for children to stay at home then they should.

• Parents/carers should also do all they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way that could spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.

• Many parents who are key workers may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely at home should be.

• The fewer children making the journey to school and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society.

• Parents can choose to keep children away from school without any concern of repercussion.

Teaching staff will be working from home and providing remote learning for all students in line with the protocols and guidelines which are on our website.The main platform will be google classroom.Any queries from parents or carers should be via the usual channels (enquiries etc) and not on the child’s google classroom.If you need help accessing the learning, please do get in touch and we will do our best to help.There will be a registration ‘live virtual tutor meeting’ at 11am each school morning for each tutor group. We hope your child/ren will be able to join this. Please see the guidance for more information.

Secondary and primary schools with special needs units attached have been asked to stay open with staff to look after our most vulnerable children and the children of key workers.Our school is a Hub School. From Thursday 7th January 2021 children who are identified as vulnerable or whose parents are in the following groups can attend school after completing the online form to request a place. The children will be doing the same remote learning as those working from home.

Key Workers:

We would be grateful if you could let us know by completing the online form today if your child/ren fall within the above categories and require a place at school in the hub.

For tomorrow, we ask that children attending the hub report to reception and they will be met by a member of staff. The same times of the school day apply as usual (8.55am – 3.45pm).Social distancing will apply and children will be expected to follow the rules which are on the form. They will be given a designated work space and room once we know who needs a place.

School catering services are intending to provide hot lunches in school from Thursday for all children who attend the Hub School. Additional cleaning arrangements will also be put in place.Children entitled to free school meals who are not in the hub and working at home will be given a voucher by DESC to cover the 3 weeks lockdown period.

Exams

There are a number of BTEC exams scheduled to take place over the coming days and if your child/ren are due to take these exams, they will be run following the social distancing guidelines.The BTEC exams will be in the Forster building except for the one on 15th January.Students should wear a mask or face covering and report to the designated waiting area as usual, keeping 2m apart.Further information will be sent to the individuals involved.Any student unable to attend the exam MUST contact Ms Caley, the Examinations Officer, as soon as possible.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. We will still be here for you during these difficult and unprecedented times. We know you will work with us in partnership and hope you will help us in implementing the above arrangements.

Yours sincerely

Sue Moore