Dear Parents/Carers,

 

We hope that you are all keeping well in these challenging times.

 

We are continuing to prepare for a phased reopening of our school and nursery for some pupils.  We are working with the DfE and Warwickshire LA to ensure that all the correct procedures are followed. We will only consider opening Newdigate further when it is safe to do so, having considered our Risk Assessments, government announcements against the key tests and advice from the local authority about the local position.  Our risk assessment and plan will be quality assured by the local authority next week.  There is also a further government announcement regarding schools, which is expected on Friday May 28th.

 

Therefore, in order to be as open, honest and clear as we can, and fair to parents and staff, we are informing you that the school will not be able to reopen on June 1st for the pupils in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 as anticipated.

 

We want to give you the updates as fast as we can regarding the situation, ensuring that all parents are as informed as they can be. The plan we have put together is not without its drawbacks or complications, in particular the impact of the ongoing building work on our school site. Most importantly, we need to make the right decisions to ensure the safety of children, staff and parents. It goes without saying that we want to see our children returning to school but this cannot be at any cost and all of our work has centred around minimising risk as we are aware that we cannot remove risks completely in the current climate.

 

The provision we have been running for the children of key workers and vulnerable children will continue as normal beginning Tuesday 2^nd June.  We must use Monday 1^st June for staff training. 

 

Like you, we await the national announcement, and will then hopefully be able to announce the timescales for further opening of the school for key year groups during the week commencing 1st June.  We share your frustration at the lack of clarity this gives you. Newdigate school leaders are continuing to make plans so that we can act swiftly once we get the go ahead that it is safe to open on a wider basis and we will keep you fully informed.

 

Thank you for your patience. We will be in touch as soon as we can. Any information will be posted on our school app, website, Famly app and Friends of Newdigate Facebook page.

 

Take care and stay safe.

 

Yours sincerely,

                                                                     

Mrs S.Marrow                                   Mrs E.Hampton

Headteacher                                     Chair of Governors