COVID-19 update – 19.03.2020
Thursday 19 March
Dear Parents/Carers,
Re: Coronavirus update – school closure to most pupils
Following on from my last update, I’m now writing to let you know that we have now been instructed to close the school to almost all children after this Friday until further notice.
Arrangements for tomorrow, Friday 20th March 2020, will be the same as today. The school will be open only for students in Years 10, 11 and 13.
From Monday 23rd March 2020, as advised by the government, we will do all we can to stay open for the children of key workers (e.g. NHS staff, police, others in frontline services) and children with certain needs.
We are waiting for the government to publish more information on what this means, but it would help us in the meantime if you could let us know if you think your child may fall into one of these categories.
If this is the case can you please email info@sjcr.net by 3.00pm today. Please state your child’s name, their form group and the category you fall into.
We will be in touch again with any key workers to provide further details, as soon as we have received further guidance from the Government.
All other children will need to stay at home, so we ask that you do not send your child into school from Monday 23rd March 2020 onwards. If you do not fall into one of the key workers category and your child arrives at school, we will send your child home.
Please note that this is a national closure – as you may have heard in the news – so while it is a challenging situation, we are not alone. We’ll re-open fully as soon as we can and will keep you informed as to when via the school website and messages home.
What we’ll continue doing while your child is at home
Your child’s learning is of course important to us, so we’ll continue to help your child to learn. Class teachers will set work for students via Google Classroom. Students should already have access to their accounts, but if required a guide on how to set-up Google Drive and Classroom and classroom codes can be found on the school website – https://www.stepneyallsaints.school/for-students/google-classroom/. Students need to take a more independent approach to their progress and learning and we suggest that parents set up a routine with their children and support them in their learning where possible.
As you will understand, we will probably be operating with a limited number of staff, therefore any communications with teachers can be sent via Google Classroom, but please be patient in receiving a response.
To contact the school regarding general enquiries, please email info@sjcr.net. Any phone calls should be made to the usual phone number 020 7790 6712. As mentioned, please bear with us and we will try our best to respond to you as soon as we can.
If your child usually receives free school meals we will also be in touch with more information about how we will continue to provide this, with support from a scheme that the government has just announced.
This is as much as we know right now and we appreciate your continued patience with as we deal with this ever-changing situation. We understand that this latest news will have an impact on you and your family and it is far from ideal, but we will continue to keep in touch with any updates as the situation develops.
Please remember: if you or your child feels ill and develop the symptoms, self-isolate immediately and follow the NHS 111 online guidance.
Thank you again for your continued support, and we will be in touch with more information when we can.
Yours sincerely,
Mr P Woods
Headteacher