Latest Covid-19 Update

4th January 2021

Dear Parents / Carers

Following the Prime Minister’s emergency announcement of a further lockdown in England, North West Surrey Short Stay School will be closed tomorrow for all students.

Your child’s tutor will be in contact with you during the day and all students should check their Google Classroom for work that will be set through the day.

Schools are to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend. It is stressed that schools, colleges and other educational establishments remain safe places for children but the fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread, infect vulnerable individuals in wider society and overwhelm the NHS.

We are, therefore, being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home; this will happen from 6th January 2021.

The Government has stated that many parents whose work is critical may still be able to ensure their child is kept at home and that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. Parents are asked to follow these key principles:

1. If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.

2. If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.

3. Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.

If you are unable to keep your child at home and believe you fall into a critical worker group, please let us know via the phone call with your child’s tutor tomorrow.

Exams

With regards to external exams, the government have confirmed that external exams will not go ahead. As last year, the government will work with the education sector and Ofqual to ensure young people get the qualifications they need. As soon as we receive a further update we will be able to provide greater clarity on how students and young people will be awarded the examination results that they deserve.

We continue to navigate a turbulent and emotional time and I would like to thank everyone for their messages of support and encouragement. Please do contact your normal school contacts if you or your child need our support.