Sleaford area schools prepare to close to all pupils except those of key workers and vulnerable children to reduce spread of coronavirus

Schools are being advised to open on skeleton staff to care for children of key workers in order to keep the economy, emergency services and food supply chain running.

The list of key workers released overnight are those working in these key areas:

• Health and social care

• Education and childcare

• Key public services

• Local and national government

• Food and other necessary goods

• Public safety and national security

• Transport

• Utilities, communication and financial services

Children classed as ‘vulnerable’ are also being encouraged to come into school to safeguard them too. These are children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and

care (EHC) plans.

Heather Sandy, Executive Director for Children’s Services at Lincolnshire County Council said the Local Authority will co-ordinate provision for children who cannot attend their setting due to it being closed and schools will be required to support pupils from other settings.

Many schools have already identified cluster arrangements so that child care can still be provided if your own setting gets into difficulties. This will be formalised.

Going forward this list may change or be prioritised. Key worker status should be through employment ID or a letter from the employer. If at least one parent is classed as a key worker then their children can come into school, but only if this is critical.

Children with at least one parent or carer who are identified as critical workers by the government can send their children to school if required. For information of what has been published for parents visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

Anyone presenting coronavirus symptoms should still self-isolate and not attend the school.

All school transport will continue to run.

Nick Law, executive headteacher at Carres and Kesteven and Sleaford High School, said all three of the town’s secondary schools are in regular contact and have adapted plans which they put in place yesterday, on publication of the key worker list.

He said: “We are going to be open for the key worker children and following government advice.

“Both Carre’s and the High School shall open for Monday and Tuesday to our separate students as we are unsure of numbers and that will be reviewed on Tuesday.”

They are working with a skeleton staff to supervise the children and making facilities available for staff children as well, but he said pupil numbers had been dwindling all week as families opted to self-isolate.

The supervision operates from 9am–3.30pm. Students arriving at school should sign in at reception. During the day they will be able to access school computers in order to work on the assignments their peers will access online from home. They hope to provide some more recreational activities in the afternoon where possible.

Students do not need to wear school uniform but should wear comfortable clothes and bring with them sportswear so that they can take part in indoor or outdoor sports activities each day. They should also bring with them food and snacks for the day. Water fountains are available so they should bring a refillable bottle.

Mr Law added: “It may be that you do not wish to take up this provision or that you need your child to access this provision intermittently and that is fine. We simply ask every parent to confirm with us your requirements via [email protected]. Please remember to include your child’s name and form. The Key Workers who have already responded do not need to reply again. Senior staff will be at school on Monday to greet students who arrive.”

Carre’s community sports team will also be putting on a holiday club over Easter for pupils who are children of key workers. If you wish to have place on this contact: [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

Mr Law commented: “The teachers at both schools have been absolutely fantastic and I know they have been at St George’s Academy as well, rallying around and looking after kids, volunteering and helping in the community where they can - real community spirit.”

He said the schools’ kitchens will be open for those attending, while the 600 children who are in receipt of free school meals across all three secondary schools are to be provided with food in a partnership with Sleaford Community

Larder, a charity that the schools have donated regularly to in the past. Free school meals funds will be diverted to this.

Any child who is eligible for free school meals (using their letter as proof) will be able to collect a take-away lunch from The Sleaford Larder at any time between 11.30am and 2.30pm on weekdays. For families who are eligible for free school meals but are not able to get into Sleaford (or who are needing to self-isolate) they can contact The Sleaford Larder by email ([email protected]) to request a delivery of provisions to be able to make lunches over a number of days. The Community Larder have a strong team of volunteers who support them to reach across the whole of the NKDC area.

Where families would like support with wider food provisions, The Sleaford Community Larder will be open between 10am and 4pm every day for families to be able to order and collect food parcels.

Mr Law said: “We know that some students will find it more difficult than others to navigate the coming weeks. Our pastoral team will be available to support them and you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need to.”

Mr Law praised the likes of the BBC and EdTech who were making available lots of online educational content.

He commented that they were putting on ‘end of year’ style farewell assemblies for the Year 11 and Year 13 students who will no longer be taking their exams due to the government’s decision to cancel them.

In a statement to parents, St George’s Academy has said: “We are very grateful for the support that The Sleaford Community Larder will continue to provide for our families whilst we are not able to do so, and would like to thank them enormously for their response at this particularly difficult time.”

Parents are being advised they should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.

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.

Children have been instructed on how the schools will continue to support them in ttheir education while the schools are mainly shut.

Parents will be regularly updated via their messaging system along with clear links from the school website designed for students, parents and staff.

There will not be supervised study during the Easter break.