Senior staff have been in work today to contact all Key Workers to discuss their needs and options.

The school intends to have staff in throughout the closure. This will be to look after those children in school, to liaise with children and parents, to maintain work for home-learning, and to make sure our provision is even better when school eventually resumes.

Our stance remains that as key workers we are here to support those other key workers who require assistance. This is a vital role and our staff have been absolute in recognising their duty to our community.

Both as individuals and family members, we are dealing with our own vulnerabilities, so we are very grateful that the overwhelming majority of parents are respecting our and the government’s advice that:

§ “If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.”

§ “The government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.”

§ “The fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

We have been contacted by high-end key workers from the world of health care and policing who have said we do not need support now, but with the likelihood of more shifts and increased demand, we may in the future. Rest assured we are here for you, and if you need support then just email office@friaryschool.co.uk

If we have a coronavirus outbreak in school then we will respond with all we have to ensure our provision is maintained. We will commit to on-going support for the children, staff and families affected.

We have smiled at the memes, articles and videos that have highlighted the battles that home-learning is already bringing. In one or two cases we have said to ourselves ‘See, it isn’t us’, but in 99.9% of cases we only admire the care, patience and perseverance parents are showing. It is for the long haul, it will at times be a miserable slog, but without battling one another to exhaustion, remember that everything you do will only make your child stronger.

Equally, by keeping your child at home, you are lessening the risk of spreading the virus and are saving lives.

We well know that our contribution is only a small cog in a big wheel, and to all those making great and potentially ultimate sacrifices, we are truly grateful.