Dear Parents
It feels like in the last two weeks you have been bombarded with letters and information as things have changed so rapidly due to the ongoing Covid 19 outbreak. This marks the last of the letters I will be sending while the students remain in school for the foreseeable future. Communication from this point forward will be done while the majority of our students are working remotely from the school, as indeed will be many of the staff. We will be available via email and will be sending out a weekly newsletter to all parents.
There are numerous things to update you on, clarify where we can and to provide information about before the school closes to comply with the governmental directive.
Student work
We have delivered and given out all work packs to the children so they can continue to work from home for the next couple of weeks. Children have a book that they need to use to complete their work. We expect the same high standards in work and presentation that the children are held to in school.
Staff will be continuing to set work for the duration of the school closure, and I will update you of our plans in the coming week.
We cannot emphasise enough how vital it is that parents encourage students to complete the work being set. In a worst-case scenario, they could be working from home for a prolonged period and long term recovering the missed learning would be difficult. Together we have to try and ensure that they remain engaged in their schooling.
Staying Safe and being Mindful of others
I do want to remind all parents why the drastic step of closing the schools has taken place. It is to protect people and to try and stop contact between different groups within our communities and to allow people to look after themselves and their families. Students will have to work throughout the closure period as if they were in normal school and they should be inside, completing that work during the day. Students and parents should be mindful of the guidance around social distancing and we all have a responsibility to ensure that we follow that guidance.
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
As a school, acting in a remote capacity or not, we are always committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our students. If any members of the school or local community have concerns about the welfare of a student, or if you have any safeguarding queries, please contact our School Safeguarding Team who will be in contact as soon as is feasible. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Faye Eldon who can be reached using the email: FEldon@hensingham.cumbria.sch.uk
Child Care Provision for Key Workers
Thank you to all parents who filled in the survey for key workers. We had 39 responses, and these parents will be contacted today by email. Our school will be open for these children and some children from The Whitehaven Academy.
Several of our staff have volunteered to aid with the delivery of this provision and I am sure you would want to offer them every support. The school will only be open for the children who have been contacted. Key Worker Child Provision will be open from 8:45 until 3:15 every day. Please provide your child with a packed lunch for Monday and we will send out further details on Monday.
Please ensure that your children bring their work packs into school with them each day.
Keeping in Regular Contact
We are acutely aware that we will need to keep in regular contact with parents and students alike. You will receive a phone call from your child’s class teacher every day next week. We are doing this so we can support your child with their home learning and so we can answer any questions or queries you may have.
The next couple of months will be odd – our school community will not be together but we will still all be connected. We will be here for the students and you if you need us. Supporting where we can and always planning and thinking of when the school will again be allowed to return to its normal running. We hope we will see the students at some time in the summer term.
I wish everyone the very best for those days ahead and hope that you and your families are all able to stay safe.
Yours sincerely,
Faye Eldon
Headteacher
