KING'S PARK PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOL

(EDUCATION AUTHORITY – SOUTHERN REGION)

20 March 2020 (Updated 21st March)

Dear Parent/Guardian

Schools have been asked to facilitate pupils whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 team who would have otherwise no option but to stay at home, 'vulnerable children' and children with a Statement of Educational Needs.

It should be stressed that the aim is to keep the number of children in school to an absolute minimum.

The following headings have been provided as documented on 19 March 2020.

• Health and Social Care.  This includes doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, home carers and staff required to maintain our health and social care sector.
• Education and childcare.  This included nursery and teaching staff, social workers and those specialist education professionals who will remain active during the Covid-19 response.
• Public safety and national security.  This includes civilians and officers in the police (including key contractors), Fire and Rescue Service, prison service and other national security roles.
• Transport.  This will include those keeping air, water, road and rail transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response.
• Utilities and Communication.  This includes staff needed for oil, gas, electricity and water (including sewage) and primary industry supplies, to continue during the Covid-19 response, as well as key staff telecommunications, post and delivery, services and waste disposal.
• Food and other necessary goods.  This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution and sale, as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (e.g. hygiene, medical etc).
• Other workers essential to delivering key public services.
• Key national and local government including those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response.
• Guardians/Parents of vulnerable children.
• Parents of children with a Statement of Educational Needs.

If any of the above applies to you, we would ask you to contact the school as soon as possible stating which category applies to you and which day/s your child/ren will be attending school next week 23rd-27th.   You may contact the school via the office or by emailing via the website.

*Parents must use this provision only if absolutely necessary and where there are no other child care options available.  It must be stressed that pupils should not be sent to school when they are unwell.  It is our understanding that children’s health and safety are best ensured by remaining at home and away from other children and adults.

When in school the children will be in composite classes and able to work on the activities already provided. Children must bring their pack of work to school.  Pupils should wear school uniform/tracksuit.  The staff will be supervising the completion of their work only and not providing normal teaching.

Parents/Guardians will be asked to complete a registration form on arrival into school on Monday.

Lunch at this point will be via a packed lunch which should be provided by parents.

It must be stressed that the guidance is changing almost daily and that the provision for pupils will depend on the school being able to maintain sufficient staffing levels each day.

Our thoughts are with all of the community of King’s Park at this stressful time and we trust you and your family will stay safe over the coming weeks and months.

Sincerely,

T Shields

Principal