Dear Parents,

This morning we have received further guidance from the Department of Education on how we maintain education provision following the announcement earlier this week that schools will close.

You can access the parent guide here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

We are continuing to work through what this means for us as a school and I will provide more information later today.

Many of you have been in touch to ask about a key worker list. The Department of Education has released the list of key workers today. This is below. Please note that the guidance is for anyone in the below categories who cannot keep their child safe at home.  If it is possible for your child to be at home then they should be. If you do send your child in, they will need a packed lunch as we will have no school meal provision.

Health and social care

Frontline health and social care staff such as doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, as well as support and specialist staff in the health and social care sector. In addition it includes those working in supply chains including producers and distributors of medicines and personal protective equipment

Education and childcare

Nursery, teaching staff and social workers

Key public services

Those required to run the justice system, religious staff, as well as those responsible for managing the deceased, and journalists providing public service broadcasting.

Local and national government

Administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response or delivering essential public services, including payment of benefits.

Food and other necessary goods

Those involved in the production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery of food.

Public safety and national security

Police, support staff, Ministry of Defence civilian staff and armed forces personnel, fire and rescue staff, and those responsible for border security, prisons and probation.

Transport

Those who will keep air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response.

Utilities, communication and financial services

Staff required to keep oil, gas, electricity, water and sewerage operations running. Staff in the civil nuclear, chemical and telecommunications sectors. Those in postal services and those working to provide essential financial services.

If you think you fall under the category of key worker, in order for us to assess how many children and young people will require provision from Monday, please complete and return the attached form or put the information requested on the form in an email and send it to admin@wethersfield.essex.sch.uk by the end of the school day if at all possible.

Further information will be sent to you later today.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Shingleton

Headteacher