URGENT: Additional school closure day - CLARENDON CLOSED ON TUESDAY 5th JANUARY
Dear parent/carer,
You will be aware of the government announcement about additional school closures, and that Richmond upon Thames schools are not reopening to pupils on the 5th January as we are in one of the Contingency Arrangement Areas, where overall infection rates are very high.
Special schools will be remaining open to all pupils at this time. However, Clarendon, along with the other schools in the Auriga Academy Trust, have made the difficult decision to remain closed to pupils for one additional day (Tuesday 5th January), before fully reopening to all on Wednesday 6th January.
This is to allow for the mass testing of all staff, to enable us to arrange cover for those staff who are unable to attend and to give us time to complete our planning and risk assessments for the mass testing of secondary aged pupils when they return (more information on this, and consent forms, will be sent out next week).
I realise that this will be inconvenient for many of you, and am sorry that there is so little notice, but we are having to respond rapidly to fast-changing circumstances and new Government guidance.
I hope that you have remained safe and well over the holiday period, and look forward to welcoming all pupils back into school on Wednesday 6th January.
John Kipps
Executive Headteacher, Clarendon School
We are taking advice from the Department for Education and Public Health England on protecting our students and staff from coronavirus. We assess risks daily and will keep parents informed of any significant developments. Please see the following link for the latest guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public.
The strategy to prevent infection is to maintain good hygiene (handwashing etc) and to heed advice if you have travelled or been in close contact with those who have travelled in specified areas. There are two categories of area, each with its own prevention of infection advice. As the information changes daily, please check for the latest geographical areas via the link here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk
We have developed our own detailed risk assessment and strategy. We are aware that as a special school we have some pupils who are particularly vulnerable and are closely monitoring the situation on a daily basis. Pupils are being taught the importance of good hygiene, and are being encouraged to wash hands regularly during the day, as well as after using the toilet, before lunch and after PE lessons.
At present, there is no need to withdraw your child from school unless you have travelled to the specified areas, or been in close contact with someone who has, or with someone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19. If you believe that a member of your close family might be at risk, or that they are showing symptoms, you should call NHS111 and seek advice.
Parents with any concerns over coronavirus and school should email info@clarendon.richmond.sch.uk, marked for the attention of John Kipps.