Headteacher's Blog

Dear Parents/Carers,
 
I hope this note finds you and your families well during these uncertain and challenging times.
 
You will know that the government has asked parents/carers to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and for schools to remain open only for those children of workers critical to the COVID-19 response - who absolutely need to attend and to those children with EHCPs. Downsell Primary School is partially open to these children.
 
School staff around the country are supporting families through this difficult time. We are aware that the extraordinary measures that have been taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 present an unprecedented challenge for all schools. I would like to say a very big thank you to the Downsell Primary School staff who are attending work to support our children. Their efforts are very much appreciated. They have shown selfless dedication to the Downsell Primary School community.
 
While the school does remain partially open, we are referring to the guidance for education and childcare settings on how to implement social distancing and we continue to follow the advice from Public Health England on handwashing and other measures to limit the risk of spread of coronavirus.
 
If your child is in Year 6, you will be concerned about the SATS exams the children were due to take in May. The Department for Education has said that:
 
‘Primary assessments, including SATs, and exams including GCSEs, AS levels and A levels will not go ahead this summer’.
 
Of course, this is extremely disappointing news. The children and staff at Downsell Primary School worked so hard in the lead up to these exams.  
 
As you will know, the children went home with home-school packs on Friday 20^th March. It is advised that all children do take part in home-learning on a daily basis. All teachers have uploaded content for their classes. If you are struggling to access the work, log in or use any form of the resources, please call the school or leave a comment below so that we are able to assist you.
 
These are unprecedented times and we have been given no date for the re-opening of the school to all children. We will of course write to you again should we receive any update from the local authority or Government etc.
 
I look forward to seeing you all very soon, whenever that may be.
 
Take care of yourselves.
 
Mr Chetty