Dear parents and carers,

There has been much publicity around the reopening of schools on 8^th March next week.  As you are no doubt aware we have been open throughout the lockdown with increasing numbers of pupils attending as the transmission rate has reduced. We currently have around two thirds of pupils in school and it’s beginning to feel much more like ‘business as usual’ with (almost!) all pupils looking pleased to be back.

The government’s expectation is that all pupils attend school from the 8^th March unless they have a shielding letter from their doctor (see the government guidance for parents posted on our website and Facebook page this week).  If your child is shielding and we have not received a copy of the letter please send to the admin email address (admin@cleaswellhill.northumberland.sch.uk) this will avoid us having to mark the absence as unauthorised.  This is not intended as any sort of threat, it is just how staff have to report if we don’t have authorisation from a GP/consultant.

For those of you with secondary age pupils we will be able to offer home testing kits in the near future.  Staff have been tested twice a week since the start of term and for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of taking one – it is pretty unpleasant.  I realise that many of our pupils would struggle with this type of test so it is by no means compulsory.  However for those pupils who are able to take the test it is another measure that reduces risk. We will post further information regarding this over the next few days including how to register for a kit.

I do not anticipate any changes to how we are running school until 17th May at the earliest, with the exception that some school visits may be able to take place after the Easter holidays. I am awaiting further advice on this from County and will update you when I hear.  The sorts of visits would be trips to places like the beach, Plessy woods – ie not busy places.

Also, if Covid restrictions allow, we may be putting on a summer show.  This is obviously some way off so don’t get too excited yet (Mrs Hunter)………..

Thank you for your on-going support,

Mike