This page will be updated regularly as the Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation develops.
Schools are playing a major role in the government’s management plan of Covid 19. School is open to children of key workers who have had a place approved, and those children from vulnerable backgrounds. All other children are required to stay at home and observe social distancing guidance. The safest place for your child and family is at home until the government issues different information.
Schools within Pontefract Academies Trust will be implementing the government’s guidance and requirements of us. We would ask that you do the same to keep your family as safe as possible. We will continue to communicate with you extensively throughout this period.
For advice and guidance please read the regular updates being published on this page.
Letters to Parents
Previous Announcements
As mentioned in a previous communication, during this period of closure we will continue to set classwork for all our pupils. You can find out more about the learning resources available on your child's school's website.
The Government have announced that they will be launching vouchers for parents in receipt of free school meals, however, as yet these are not available.
For those children who are not attending school but are entitled to a free school meal, all schools in Pontefract Academies Trust will be providing grab-bag lunches that families can collect from their child’s school and then immediately return home. Meals will need to be collected between 11.30pm and 12.30pm.
Further information on the Government guidance is provided in the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance
Due to the school closures, we recognise the additional stress that this can place on families who are now having to provide additional meals during what would be a normal school day, not just on food resources but also financially. With this in mind, we will ensure that any grab-bags that remain uncollected at the end of the school day are made available to food banks locally.
The list of key workers has not yet been published by the government which was expected to be released this afternoon. Once it has we will be sending you by email a short form to complete to identify pupils of key workers. We would ask that you send this form back as a matter of urgency so we can plan for the number of children attending school on Monday and the provision of school meals.
We once again thank you for your cooperation and understanding in these exceptional circumstances.
As you are aware the school will remain open to vulnerable children and children of key workers. Once the guidance from the Government is released on the definition of a key worker we will be in contact with you again.
We would like to thank you for your support and understanding.
Following the announcement from the Government regarding school closures, Trust and school leaders are currently working through the government guidance. We expect further guidance to be released over the next 24 hours. We would kindly ask you to be understanding in this unprecedented and challenging time. Please be assured that we will provide further communication as soon as we are able to.
The Government announcement means that from Friday 20 March 2020 our schools will be closed from the end of the school day until the Government determine when we can open again.
As instructed by the Government we are to remain open from Monday 23 March 2020 to:
- Children of key workers
- Vulnerable children
We will communicate further with you to determine whether you are a key worker when more specific information is provided by the Government.
Please be assured that we are already aware of children who are classed as “vulnerable” and we will directly contact parents/carers to make arrangements for these children to attend school.
Our schools are open as normal. We are following the daily advice provided by the government. Staffing levels are being monitored on a daily basis along with essential hygiene supplies to keep your child safe.
Should anyone in your household show the signs of Coronavirus the current government advice is that all people in the household should self-isolate for 14 days. The guidance below advises when self-isolation should end and whether self-isolation should be extended if you or your child develops symptoms.
We would ask that you review the guidance below to determine whether your child or someone within your household is within a defined vulnerable group and follow all the latest advice.
Please be assured that we are already aware of children who are classed as “vulnerable” and we will directly contact parents/carers to make arrangements for these children to attend school.