Birkrig, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 9BN. Telephone: 01695 724730.
www.bishopmartin.lancs.sch.uk Headteacher: Mr IJ McDonald
Phased Re-opening w/c Monday 22nd June 2020 Dear Parents/Carers, Introduction I’m afraid this letter is quite long and has a lot of detail so please read it all carefully as it contains important information about the planned phased re-opening of Bishop Martin and the plans for us to do it in a safe, measured way that respects all Social Distancing Guidance. I am incredibly proud that throughout this entire COVID situation Bishop Martin has remained open EVERY WEEKDAY for Key Worker and Vulnerable children. This has included the Easter Holidays, all Bank Holidays and May half-term. Very few schools have been able to do this but it’s a testament to the fantastic team here that we have managed this in order to keep serving the school community at a time when many of you have really needed us to be here. I think this is what makes the ‘Family’ of Bishop Martin so unique! Re-opening I can now confirm that Bishop Martin WILL be open from Monday 22nd June for Ladybird Nursery children, Reception pupils, Year 1 pupils and Year 6 pupils. We will also continue to offer provision for Key Worker/Vulnerable pupils in Years 2, 3, 4 and 5. The full link for the most up to date guidance can be found here: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates/schools/ I have already informed you that children will be assigned to a ‘Pod’ that will be no more than 15 children (for Y6 and Key Worker pupils) and no more than 12 (for Y1, Reception and Nursery pupils). The teachers have been given their ‘Pod’ lists and have all written welcome letters. These lists and welcome letters will be e-mailed out to you all later this week. As I mentioned in my letter last week, I have the ambition to be able to offer some school based provision for other year groups from 6th July (Years 2, 3, 4 and 5). This could well be just limited to a couple of days but it is something I really want to make happen before the Summer Break. I will write about this in more detail next week and this will be constantly reviewed (as most schools are not able to even consider doing this at this time). I have also already said that I fully respect and understand many parents will be hesitant or reluctant to send their pupils in, at least initially, and fully respect the decision you make next week. The Local Authority have said they will not be enforcing attendance at this time and also respect the decision that you make as parents. Home School Agreement I’m sure you can appreciate that a huge amount of work has gone into planning for the safe, fully risk-assessed, partial re-opening of school from next week. However, to make this a success it is impossible for the school to work on its own and I will need the support of each and every one of you to keep to this plan. Therefore at the point at which you feel confident, as a parent, in sending your child back into school under this plan, you will be required to sign the attached Home/School Agreement.