Dear Parents, Carers and Families,

I hope this letter finds you well. Firstly, I would like to thank for your support and patience during these difficult times. I know that you have worked hard to help your children complete the home learning activities.

I would like to update you with information we have received from the Government about school opening from September. The government has now set out its intent and plan for ALL children to return to school in September. The agreed plan has been designed based on the balance of risk of children not in school beyond the summer. I appreciate that for some of you, you will remain anxious about your children returning to school.

I would like to reassure you that your child’s wellbeing and safety are our main concern. Reducing any risks and keeping children and staff safe will be our priority. In order to do this, there will be a number of measures put in place to limit contact between children in different classes and extensive hygiene measures.

We have had several months of remaining open to Key Worker families and more recently Year 1 and Year 6 children whilst implementing ‘control measures’ which we are now very familiar with.

Whilst no school can guarantee 100% safety regarding Covid-19 contamination, we have worked very hard to ensure our practice is a safe as possible and we adhere to all the government and Public Health England guidance shared nationally. It is important that we support you and your child to return to school and establish the vital routines, normality and community again.

However, we will need your co-operation to ensure that all safety measures are in place. For example, new drop off and pick up arrangements, social distancing and lunchtimes.

It will be mandatory for your child to attend school in September. This means it is once again, a legal requirement for you to send your child to school every day. This overrides the previous parental choice you have had. The government will fine parents who do not send their children to school. I hope that the assurances I have outlined and the school reopening plan will allay any fears you may have and support every child to return to school. The detail of our plans for reopening in September can be found in the School Opening document on the coronavirus updates page of the website. In addition there are other relevant documents regarding reopening on there as well.

It is important that you read all the information and prepare your children for returning to school.

Finally I hope that you can enjoy the summer and we are looking forward to welcoming the children back in September. 

If you have any concerns or questions you would like to ask, please contact the school by email eastcroft.de@knowsley.gov.uk

Kind regards,

Julie Withey