Key Worker Letter - Please read carefully

Dear Parents / Carers

Thank you again for your support and patience during this extraordinary and challenging time for us all.

As I am sure you are aware, the Government’s definition of a ‘critical worker’ and a ‘vulnerable child’ is extensive and, unless we plan carefully, we may not be able to support families and workers that require this help the most.

We must emphasise that the Government guidance states that ‘if your work is critical to the Covid-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors AND you cannot keep your child safe at home, then your children will be prioritised for educational provision. Many parents working in these critical sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.’

Please be aware that we will be asking for evidence which shows that you are a key worker e.g. your identification card and that you are the only person in your household who can look after your child / children. We may also need to get in touch with you via telephone to gain some extra clarification.

Please complete the information below and as far as is possible return this to school by 1pm today so that we can plan. Please return the information to office@clockhouse.havering.sch.uk

Your child’s / children’s names:

Year groups:

Your job role:

Best number to contact you on:

Your spouse’s / partner’s role (if you are not a single parent family):

Will you need supervision for your child next week? Yes/No?

Days that supervision will be needed next week (23rd – 27th March):

My child / children will need lunch provided by the school – Yes / No

If No, will you potentially need supervision in future weeks? Yes / No?

Times you would need supervision each day (Please try to be as specific as possible):

Any other information you feel we need to know:

We understand many of you are shift workers but please can we ask that you try your best to let us know what supervision you will need next week including times required. We will be working on a week by week basis.

School will be open 8.45 until 3.30. Sadly we will not be able to provide any extracurricular clubs and, it is with regret that we are not able to offer Wrap Around Care – the before and after school club has informed us that they will not be opening as of 23^rd March and will be reviewing this in mid-April. We really do apologise for this.

There is further information and guidance regarding what constitutes a key worker and the closure schools. This can be found at

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

I would urge you to read this information carefully before responding to this email. The key points however are summarised below.

• Schools are now closed and, where possible, children should stay at home.
• Schools will remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable children where they can
• Many parents working in these critical sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
• Children with at least one parent or carer who are identified as critical workers by the government can send their children to school if it is absolutely necessary. This will be very dependent on circumstances and will be on a family by family basis.
• If there is only one critical worker in the family, we ask that you make every attempt to keep your child at home.

It is important to reassure you that schools, remain safe places for children. 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 and to critical and key workers.

Thank you for your support. Again I would like to urge that, where at all possible, children should stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus anymore. In order for us to remain open for our critical workers, I also have to ensure staff remain fit and healthy so would ask you to consider this carefully before responding. Further details about arrangements for next week including times and expectations will be sent later today.

Thank you as always for your continued support.

Kind regards

Jo Savidge