Dear Families,
I hope that you are well and staying safe. Thank you so much to the many families who have made contact with school during this period. We are very grateful for the support you have shown us.
Today I received a letter from the Director of Education for Cheshire East, Jacky Forster, which updated Headteachers on the meeting of Cheshire East Cabinet Members who met yesterday to consider a position statement on the phased wider opening of schools. Cabinet members considered the various concerns raised by early years settings, schools, parents and unions and propose that a careful and staged approach is taken to the wider opening of schools from 1 June. In summary, Cabinet recommend that from 1 June schools take 2 weeks to ensure they are confident with the arrangements and for staff to be familiar with new working practices. There will then be a phased return of pupils from 15 June. This would involve small groups of students from years 10 and 12. Please view the press release from the local authority:
At the time of writing, the government have yet to produce the promised guidelines on secondary school opening. Headteachers were told that this would be available to us last week, however, this has yet to arrive. Consequently, we will be following the guidance recommended by Cheshire East Local Authority.
We are still open to the children of key workers and those deemed vulnerable by the Local Authority. We are also open to support students with Education Health Care Plans (EHCP). This provision is open throughout the half-term. Please do get in contact as soon as possible if you fall into these categories and would like a place in school.
I am also conscious that this is a very worrying time for families and there will be concerns about missed learning time. I will outline some of the changes to our online learning strategy in the next Headteacher’s Notes on Friday. I am bitterly disappointed that we cannot open school sooner. When the guidance allows us to do so, I will be in contact to outline how this will be done. Please be assured that we will be doing everything we possibly can to balance the safety of staff and students alongside the need to get young people back into education. We really do appreciate all the support and understanding you have shown us during this time.
Yours sincerely
Mr Botwe
Headteacher