Headteacher's Update re: Decision on school unable to open to more pupils w/b 1st June 2020

Birkrig, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 9BN. Telephone: 01695 724730.

www.bishopmartin.lancs.sch.uk Headteacher: Mr IJ McDonald

28th May 2020

Dear Parents/Carers, Late yesterday afternoon the Director of Public Health in Lancashire released his assessment of the County’s ability to meet the 5 Measures, laid out by the Government, that have to be met before any re-opening of schools can take place. The link to his full assessment is below: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates/schools/advice-to-schools-onreopening-to-more-pupils/ In summary, Dr Karunanithi has assessed that, as a County, from next week Lancashire is able to meet 3 out of the 5 tests and therefore he has advised schools NOT to reopen to more pupils than we are currently providing for (those of Key Worker/Vulnerable families).

All of this is completely in line with previous updates I have provided for parents and carers.

In my update on the 1st May to parents I wrote: ‘This week (wk. beginning 27/04/20) the Government announced the 5 measures they have put in place to decide when they will begin considering easing the current lockdown arrangements (which would include guidance on how and when schools could return). We have been told that until the Government say these measures have been met there is no option being considered of schools reopening. The measures are:  The NHS has sufficient capacity to provide critical care and specialist treatment right across the UK  A sustained and constant fall in daily deaths from Coronavirus  Reliable data to show the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels across the board  Operational challenges including testing and PPE are in hand with supply able to meet future demand  Confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelms the NHS’ Then on the 15th May in my update to you all I wrote this: ‘I first need to stress that at this time we have NOT been told we are definitely opening on 1st June; no one has. The Government has said that the EARLIEST DATE any

partial re-opening of schools could take place would be the 1st June and this is wholly dependent on the 5 measures (I laid out in my letter to you all on 1 st May) being met according to their scientific advice. They will be reviewing this right up until Friday 29th May and may not make a final decision until that day.’

It is clear that Public Health in Lancashire have assessed the County’s ability as a whole to meet all 5 of the Governments tests and have concluded that only 3 can be met at this stage. As a small part of the bigger County ‘machine’ we need to respect that advice, even if I feel as a school we have a plan to open school safely.

Therefore from next week school will remain open ONLY for children of Key Worker/Vulnerable families and will NOT be welcoming back Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 classes.

Every decision I have taken as Headteacher throughout this unprecedented situation has followed the advice of Public Health England in the interests of the safety of parents, staff and most importantly, pupils. I will continue to do this. I have full confidence that the plan we have implemented to welcome back pupils to school is safe, manageable and mitigates risk as far as can be expected but I will continue to act on the most up to date advice I am provided with.

If you are employed in a Key Worker category and you are returning to work, school provision is available if you need it so please contact the office if you need a place.

I will continue to review and update you all at least on a weekly basis, as we review the re-opening options, in line with the most up to date advice.

Thank you again for your support and I will endeavour to keep school open every weekday (as I have done since the 23rd March, including Bank Holidays and school holidays) for Key Worker/Vulnerable children. You can also contact the school office from 9:00am3:30pm every weekday and e-mail if you have any questions.

Yours sincerely

Mr McDonald