updated Tuesday 24TH March 2020

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Covid-19 Letter to Parents and Carers Friday 20.03.20

Re: Covid-19 Update – 20.03.2020

We are now writing to confirm the provision that the Woodway Federation schools will be offering from Monday 23 March 2020.

Government advice on education as of 19.03.2020

Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

Please, therefore, follow these key principles:

1. If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
2. If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.

Essentially the Woodway Schools will remain open to all pupils as all our pupils fall into the vulnerable category of having an EHCP, however this does not always mean that all pupils will be able to attend. The availability of provision will be reviewed on a daily basis and linked to the attendance of suitably experienced staff.  Where numbers of staff fall below safety levels then pupil attendance will be based on increased vulnerability and having parents/carers in ‘key worker’ roles. Other pupils will not be able to attend. Additionally, where pupils present an increase in risk during this period they may be asked to follow social distancing guidelines and stay at home.  We will need your support in working with the changing nature of these arrangements. 

The Government’s list of key workers are listed here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

 Increased vulnerability is identified in the Federation as:

• Children in Care;
• Students with social workers
• Students who have a sibling with SEN and/or and EHCP

Due to the daily need to assess staff availability before pupils arrive our school hours will need to change temporarily. The school day will be from 10.00am until 2.00 pm.  Please contact us if your individual circumstances need further discussion.  Transport will contact you with new pick-up times.

Where we have been notified that pupils are in isolation for 7 days, 14 day or 12 weeks we will call at the end of this period to confirm that they are returning. Pupils will not be able to return earlier than that date.  Other calls may be made during absences to check on the welfare of pupils.

Remote Learning via Google Classroom will be available for pupils not able to attend school and would also be available should the school have to close fully at any point in the future. We would suggest you use a structured approach to your child’s day (an example is attached) with particular time set aside for learning.  If you need guidance in supporting your child, please email their teacher using the format firstname.surname@woodwayfederation.co.uk

If your child is eligible for a free school meal, lunch will be provided at the school. For absent children a packed lunch can be available to collect from the school if you call to arrange this.

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

We are aware that this is a difficult time for families. We would like to signpost you to some support available online. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Support can be found:

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51873799

https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/

https://youngminds.org.uk/

https://www.kooth.com/

https://www.childline.org.uk/

If You Are Concerned About The Safety or Welfare of a Child

During this period please contact the school and ask to speak with a safeguarding lead. If the school is closed please For Bristol children, if you feel that a child is at urgent risk of harm please contact the First Response Team on 0117 903 6444 during office hours, the Emergency Duty Team on 01454 615165 at all other times. In North Somerset please call the Single Point of Access Team on 01275 888808.  In South Gloucestershire call the Access and Response Team on 01454 866000.  Call the police on 999 if the child is at immediate risk.

With very best wishes.

Yours faithfully,

Kaye Palmer-Greene

Executive Principal

Woodway Federation

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Monday 16th March 2020

Woodway Federation are following the Government and Public Health England’s expert advice on how best to respond to the Coronavirus. You can read the latest advice from the Government here: Guidance to Educational Settings - Covid 19 - gov.uk

The current advice is that staff, young people and children should stay at home if they are unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature to avoid spreading infection to others. They should then follow the stay at home guidance: Stay at Home Guidance - Covid 19 - gov.uk

Otherwise staff and students should attend education or work as normal. If any potential symptoms are presented whilst your child is in school, we will contact the parent / carer directly.

Preventing spread of infection

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• washing your hands often - with soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport
• covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin. See Catch it, Bin it, Kill it
• people who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend work or any education or childcare setting
• pupils, students, staff and visitors should wash their hands:
• before leaving home
• on arrival at school
• after using the toilet
• after breaks and sporting activities
• before food preparation
• before eating any food, including snacks
• before leaving school
• use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• if you are worried about your symptoms or those of a child or colleague, please call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment

see further information on the Public Health England Blog and the NHS UK website