Dear Parents/Carer

We believe that keeping our parents updated of our current school position in these testing times for all is important. The situation is very fluid and we are working closely with the trust to inform our decisions. We are also following the daily updated government guidance in terms of our actions and plans.

Currently the school remains open and in full operation – lessons are going ahead as normal and I am proud to say that most students are dealing very well with the situation. We have introduced additional safety precautions such as cleaning hands before lessons involving using a keyboard, and our intensive cleaning routine is focussing on high touch areas.

What is the current situation?

• The school remains open at this time – this is the current official guidance we have been given
• All basic school functions continue to run as normal at this time. However, non-essential excursions, assemblies, travel, concerts and other events such as Parents Evenings, have been postponed.
• Some additional classes for exam groups are continuing – for example Period 6. We are committed to ensuring our students have the best possible chance in their examinations which we are assuming are still taking place in the summer term at present
• If you, your child or anyone you live with has the following symptoms you must follow guidance to stay at home:
  – A new, continuous cough and/or
  – A high temperature
• If your child is unwell or is self-isolating, report this as you would normally by contacting school on 01642 453462. Please leave a clear message and include: your child’s name, Year group and form and the reason for their absence.
• At this time all external examinations are scheduled to run as normal. We will update you as a matter of urgency if more information comes to light on this matter.

What we are doing to protect and support pupils and staff

• If a student reports feeling ill whilst on the school premises home will be contacted as a matter of urgency and parents/carers will be asked to collect their child as soon as possible. Whilst waiting to be collected students will be seated in a designated area 2 meters away from other people.
• Cleaning schedules have been revised. Additional cleaning is now in place for ‘high touch’ areas such as door handles and surfaces.
• Students are being regularly reminded about the importance of good hand hygiene and the need to regularly wash their hands – especially before they eat.
• Students are being emotionally supported by staff and our established pastoral system which is skilled in dealing with students who suffer from anxiety.

What we need you to do

• If you have recently changed your contact details, please inform the school office as soon as possible via telephone on 01642 453462 or by email on [email protected]
• Talk to your children about the coronavirus. It is important to ensure that children feel supported. BBC Newsround has regular updates for younger children and YoungMinds has practical steps older children can take to help with anxiety
• Come and collect your child straight away, if we ask you to (we will contact you if they become ill with either a temperature or a new, continuous cough)
• In the event of St Peter’s Catholic College being asked to close, we will work to ensure that your child’s education continues to the best of our ability. Over the last few days we have been working to ensure that robust systems are in place for this.
• In order to ensure that remote teaching can take place in the event of a school closure, please check that your child has access to the internet from home, and let us know if there are any issues (so we can make sure we are well prepared for remote learning if the school does need to close at some point)

What happens if the school has to close?

We will only close if we are either officially advised to do so or we do not have enough staff to run the school.
In either case, we will:

• Update parents via text, school website and school social media accounts
• Work will be set for students to complete via Google Classrooms and some paper based resources – further information will be given to students and parents in this eventuality

If you have any questions
Please consult the:

• School office (01642 453462) if you have any questions about our response to this issue
• NHS, if you want to know more about the symptoms of coronavirus. If you think you or your child may have the symptoms, use NHS 111 online if at all possible before calling 111
• Department for Education’s coronavirus helpline: 0800 046 8687, if you have any questions about the government’s response to coronavirus in relation to schools
• Government’s travel advice, if you want to know whether any upcoming trip or holiday you’re taking abroad should go ahead

It is an uncertain time and we know you are worried about the impact this might have on our community. It is important we keep each other safe and talk about these events to help with any anxiety. I am very proud of the care and support students are showing to one another at this time, and our attendance to this point shows that the large majority of students and parents are committed to supporting our work to secure the best education we can for our students.
You and your families are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

Yours sincerely

Mr N Skerry
Headteacher