Friday 20th March 2020

Dear Parents,

It is with great sadness that I write to you on what will be the last day of school for many of our children for the foreseeable future.

Preparation for supporting home learning is continuing and will be issued directly to classes as soon as we possibly can, via email in the first instance, before becoming available on the school website so that you can access the information on electronic devices.

Shortly after midnight the government issued further guidance on Critical Workers. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision With regards to the critical workers, please read and follow the guidance and should it apply to your child(ren) please contact the school office by 1pm today to indicate you wish to be offered one (or more) of our places we are hoping to offer for Monday, subject to final staffing arrangements. Children should not be sent to school on Monday unless you have been offered and accepted a place today. If you need to seek further confirmation from your employer or are unable to contact the office by 1pm, please do still contact us later today or over the weekend as you may be still offered a place for Tuesday. Families of pupils who are classed as vulnerable children will be contacted directly by school and offered a place by the end of today. Again, children in this category should not attend school on Monday unless you have been offered and accept a place today.

We know it is a fast-moving situation at the moment and appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding in such trying times.

The latest government advice on the Coronavirus situation is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response.

For the vast majority of our families, our face to face contact for the time being will end today. This is very difficult to accept for everyone. We are incredibly proud of our children, and as always, they have been amazing throughout this ongoing crisis. You will continue to be in all of our thoughts, and we will contact you regularly with any further information or updates. We hope everyone is able to stay safe and to look after one another as best they can. When the sun rises on the eventual morning when we can return to school together, its morning rays dappling the playground once again filled with smiling faces, it will shine all the brighter. On behalf of all of the staff team here at Cropthorne, we will miss you all.

Yours Sincerely,

 

Rob Bothma

Headteacher