We are all facing extraordinary challenges at this time and the situation is affecting all parts of society. Our staff have been doing all they can to keep our academy open, or partially open, since this crisis began, and would like to pay tribute to their remarkable commitment. They have been extraordinary and we will all continue to play our parts over the coming weeks and months. As you may be aware, the Government made several very important decisions on Wednesday 18^th March about school closures.

We will be closing the academy effective at the end of Thursday 19^th March, until further notice.

The Government has advised all schools in England to close, except for certain groups of children, as a further measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). No date has been set for when schools will re-open for all students.

The government is asking schools to offer provision for the following groups of students:

• Children whose parents are frontline key workers which may include: NHS staff, Police and community support officers, Frontline civilian police staff, Prison officers and staff, Social Workers, Uniformed staff in Fire and Rescue services, Armed forces personnel, Highway Agency traffic staff, care workers and Food/Supermarket drivers
• Those classed as what the Secretary of State described as “vulnerable children”. These could be those who have a social worker or those with EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plan).

The provision we are able to provide will be from 8.30am – 3pm. However we must stress this provision should be a last resort only for those families who have no other option. You should keep your child at home if at all possible.

For children who receive free school meals, the Government is currently arranging for vouchers and provision of those meals for those children. We are working with the Department for Education to ensure that this happens for all of our pupils who receive free school meals, and we will be in touch directly with those families with more information when it is available.

We are extremely disappointed that we have had to close but want to reassure our community that we will continue to support our children and families throughout this period. We would once again like to take this opportunity to thank you wholeheartedly for your understanding and ongoing support in helping us to manage this unprecedented situation.

 - Steve Jones, Primary Principal