Leigh Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

Dear Parents / Carers,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to explain the plans we have here at Sacred Heart, Leigh to extend the opening of the school. I am sure you are aware that our school has been open since lockdown began - we have been supporting those children identified to us by Wigan Local Authority and children of Key Workers. All staff have worked tirelessly whether working from home or at school to ensure all children have been provided with work packs and activities to complete.

The Government have made it clear that schools will only open on Monday 1^st June if they are confident that they are able to provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment right across the UK. They see a sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rates from COVID-19. Reliable data from SAGE showing that the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels across the board. They are confident that the range of operational challenges are in hand. They are confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that overwhelms the NHS.

School has received numerous documents from both the Government and Wigan Council detailing actions we must follow. We have to provide places for the children identified by Wigan Local Authority and children of Key Workers. We can then allocate places to Reception children, if we still have places, Year 1 children and then Year 6 children. I want to explain how Governors and I are assuring the safety of children and staff accessing the school building –

• Organising children into reduced class sizes of 10 (13 in Reception Class) – based on 2 metre distancing.
• Children remaining in the same group with no mixing.
• Children having the same staff working with them (not necessarily their own class teacher).
• Regular handwashing and hand sanitising. Regular cleaning of surfaces throughout the day.
• Staggered start and finishing times at the beginning and end of the day. Staggered breaks and lunchtimes.
• Closing of the school at 1.15pm on Friday afternoon to allow a deep clean and staff planning and preparation time.

The Department of Education has confirmed that parents will not be fined for non-attendance at this time.

The Government recognises the difficulties of 2 metre social distancing in a primary school – we will endeavour to keep children’s contact to a minimum but it is impossible to guarantee the social distancing of your child whilst at play.

Bearing all this in mind please can you let school know by 4pm Wednesday 20^th May if you require a place

for your child either as a key working parent, a parent of a child in Reception, Year 1 or Year 6 by e-mail enquiries@admin.leighsacredheart.wigan.sch.uk – this can then be acknowledged. If your child is already accessing school we have them on our list.

With all best wishes, Mrs H. Ahmed