Dear Parents

 

After much thought and consideration and in light of the uncertain times that we are all facing, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close New School Canterbury, a week before the Easter Holidays, with effect from 19th March 2020.

 

The decision has been reached based on the following facts:

 

• The new government advice is clear that whole households now need to isolate for 14 days if anyone in the household has a new, persistent cough and/or a high temperature. This inevitably leaves us with significant absence in both the student and staff population.

• The number of staff needing to self isolate has developed to a point where we cannot remain fully open and guarantee pupil safety and supervision to the level we would wish.

 

Before going any further,  it is important to state that at this point we do not have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in our school. 

We considered every possible possibility for keeping the school open using less staff, combining classes and reducing hours to provide an adequate provision. However, upon risk assessing this approach we found that we would not be able to do so without significant risk and compromise.

We will keep communicate open and flowing and will continue to respond to Government advice and hope that we will be able to open again as normal after the Easter Holiday. The situation is just not one that we can predict at this time.

In the meantime, our teachers will send work home in a beautiful box that we will be preparing over the next few days and also electronically. We will support you and your children via the telephone as appropriate during normal school hours should you need it.

If you need to collect belongings and/or books from school, please do so THIS WEEK between the hours of 10am and 2pm. Please only enter the site if you are asymptomatic of the coronavirus COVID-19 and not under advice to self isolate.

I sincerely hope that you all stay healthy and well at this difficult time, and I apologise for any inconvenience caused. Our actions have the primary aim of keeping our entire community safe.

With much love to you all at this difficult time, 

Beth Cuenco
Head Teacher

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