๐ซ School Reopening Information - 04.01.2020
Mr J Sharp
Dear Parents/Carers
You may be aware in the national media that there is speculation about the reopening of primary schools in Tier 4 areas. Below is some of the background information, our position and the reasons behind it. Please read the whole message, it is very important.
We are open tomorrow (Monday 4th January) at the usual times for all classes.
The first thing I want to say, is that school reopening tomorrow would not be possible without the individual decisions made by the staff. I think their dedication to the wellbeing of our children is inspirational, and the messages I have received in the last 24 hours once again demonstrate their passion and commitment, whatever their personal views are. I would also like to say that as a staff there are many concerns about COVID rules being followed, which I will outline later. I think it is only fair that families who send their children into school, appreciate the efforts and courage of the staff and follow all rules at all times, without exception.
This is a time where, yet again, Iโm sure all members of the All Saints community, whether they are governors, staff, families and children, will pull together and support each other.
The staff have shown tremendous commitment and selflessness in ensuring the school can reopen tomorrow, but I need all families to ensure that they support the staff by following national, local and school rules. If the staff lose confidence that the school is safe, then they may join staff in other schools in working from home.
Therefore, the following must be followed without exception if the school is to remain open for the children. I am always happy to clarify our rules, but there can be no displays of anger and people refusing to follow them, no matter how much inconvenience they cause. Iโm sorry to take such a strong tone, but this is vital for everyone, and I canโt stress these points too strongly.
Following the schoolโs risk assessment.
If your child is unwell, they must stay off school. If they are displaying any COVID symptoms, they must be tested.
Children who need to be given Calpol or cough medicine must stay at home without exception, and be tested. Masking symptoms is dangerous.
Tier 4 rules must be followed. In particular, children and families should not be entering the houses of other families at all.
Children need to be ready to enter school at the correct times. This may mean that you need to wait with another child for a few minutes for them to enter, but it is safer than them entering school with other bubbles.
Lunchboxes, drinks bottles etc must come in with the children each morning. They should not be routinely dropped off at the office.
If we contact families informing them that children have to go home and be tested, then that decision is final. I am more than happy to speak to any parent/carer about this, and explain that everyone must support us without exception.
Adults and children must be socially distanced (2m) from each other around the school site. We encourage all adults to follow the government guidance of social distancing and wearing a face covering. This includes the playgrounds, outside the gates and when at the main entrance to the office.
Children should be kept under close supervision after leaving school, and not mixing with other families or children from other bubbles. Once you have collected your children you should leave the site immediately.
Children who need to self-isolate must stay at home.
The centre of the speculation about reopening is a disagreement between the Department for Education (DfE) and all the Teacher, Head Teacher unions and Unison (supported, it appears, by the Chartered College of Teaching), who are pushing for a delayed return, as is currently the case with secondary schools.
The National Education Union (NEU) have contacted all of their members advising them to not attend school under full reopening conditions, and to write to their Head Teacher to explain that they will only look after the children of critical workers and vulnerable children in school, or to work from home leading remote learning. The NEU are advising their members that under the Health and Safety Act, they donโt believe it is safe to attend a full reopening of Tier 4 school. To be clear, this is not strike action as there has not been a ballot, so all staff members would still be working.
The National Association of Head Teachers and the Association for School and College Leaders (representing school leaders) initiated legal proceedings earlier in the week to force the DfE to release data and the criteria used to decide on which schools should reopen/not reopen.
I included the DfE position in the recent newsletter, but your can click the icons below to read the position of the different unions. The Local Authority have informed schools that the decision is to be made at school level.
Background Information
Newton Heath currently has ~ 269 cases per 100,000 which is very slightly up on when we finished for Christmas.
At the end of November, Newton Heath had ~ 500 cases per 100,000.
Now, as you will be aware, this new strain spreads much more easily, and has accounted for the very rapid increases seen in the South East of England. Southend for example, had cases of ~ 100 per 100,000 at the beginning of December, and are now at ~1000 per 100,000 (1 in 100 people).
With the allowed (and not allowed) Christmas mixing yet to filter into the figures, it is very likely that case levels arenโt going to drop in the near future, and more likely to rise.
Within December nationally, Aged 2 to Year 6 infection rates rose from 1% to 2%, and Year 7 to Year 11 rose from 2% to 3%. These age groups (along with young adults) showing the highest infection rates of all age groups within the ONS Infection Survey.
The charts below show the infection rates in different local authorities (in blue), the rates for 0-59 year olds (in green) and 60+ (in purple).
My view is:
The case rates in the local area are at a level similar to that which we were operating under for nearly all of Autumn 2. In fact, below the level of a period of Autumn 2.
Therefore, it is my judgement that on Monday we are at a similar risk of infection to that in which we operated before. This resulted in four bubbles sent home in 15 weeks and an above average attendance rate.
However, I do think that the case numbers will rise in the coming weeks due to Christmas mixing, and the spread of this faster spreading strain.
So the risk of infection may rise in January, but I havenโt seen any evidence to show that the risk of serious illness is higher. The risk of serious illness to children is still reported as being extremely low.
It appears that treatments have improved over the last nine months.
With the younger aged population showing increased infection rates before Christmas (very likely driven by the new strain in the South East), any opening of schools with the new strain in an area is bound to lead to increased infection numbers, bubbles shutting and therefore a policy decision to partially close schools. Whether that should happen now to prevent a spread of the disease, is a matter for our own opinions and policymakers.
I think there is a strong chance that in this half term we will see a partial closing of school with most children learning from home. School would be open for the children of critical workers and vulnerable children.
The new strain of COVID-19 has certainly made containing the virus more difficult, and until enough people have been vaccinated, it is even more important for everyone to follow the rules.
I am extremely grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to ensure that the children have returned to school and in such a positive manner. Please remember that the staff also have their own families, health issues, are caring for vulnerable people, have their own anxieties and suffered bereavements. If we pull together now, make sacrifices for the sake of others, follow rules we may not appreciate and do so with calmness and patience, then at the other side of this period we will have built an even better school than we already had before. That can only be a good thing for our children, the reason why we are all here.
Thank you again for your time, patience, understanding and cooperation. It really is appreciated.
Mr J Sharp
Head Teacher
Get in touch: enquiries@allsaintsnh-pri.manchester.sch.uk