Corona Virus Update

Dear Parents/Carers,

Re: Coronavirus update – school closure to most pupils

Following on from my last update, I’m now writing to let you know that we have now been instructed to close the school to almost all children after this Friday until further notice.

As advised by the government, we will do all we can to stay open for the children of key workers (e.g. NHS staff, police, others in frontline services) and children with certain needs.

We are waiting for the government to publish more information on what this means, but it would help us in the meantime if you could let us know if you think your child may fall into one of these categories. Please see mrs Lees, Mrs Cross or the office team, we will need proof of employment in the sectors named once they have been announced. We’ll be in touch again as soon as we are sure who this does apply to. Please note: we will not be able to allow children into school for parents who still have to work but are not on the list, this is mandatory. We understand that this will cause challenges to many parents, but this is now statutory guidance.

All other children will need to stay at home, so we ask that you do not send your child into school from Monday onwards.

Please note that this is a national closure – as you may have heard in the news – so while it is a challenging situation, we are not alone. We’ll re-open fully as soon as we can and will let you know when this is by group text and our website.

What we’ll continue doing while your child is at home

Your child’s learning is of course important to us, so we’ll continue to help your child to learn.

If your child usually receives free school meals we will also be in touch with more information about how we will continue to provide this, with support from a scheme that the government has just announced.

Steps so far:

• Your child will have received a work pack, exercise book and pencil.
• Your child will have at least 2 reading books – please take care of them, we need these books back!
• There are 7 weeks of home learning projects on the website. This includes links to a variety of other websites that you can register with for free online learning. These websites tare free for parents to register with until the pandemic crisis is over. (Please read the terms and conditions – some may be limited time membership)
• All children have been given their ABACUS log in, here your child can access maths activities set to them by their teachers. These will be reviewed by the class teachers.
• All KS2 children have access to TT Rock stars, Study Zone and Accelerated reader.
• KS1 children have access to NUMBOTS.
• The school website has a new section called “Learning from home.” Please go to: www.brookfields.bham.sch.uk and click on “Children” on the home page. Choose your child’s year group.
• Teachers will be adding activities and tasks daily to this page, please complete tasks in your exercise book.
• Work will NOT be set daily during the Easter holidays.
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This is as much as we know right now and we appreciate your continued patience with as we deal with this ever-changing situation. We understand that this latest news will have an impact on you and your family and it’s far from ideal, but we’ll continue to keep in touch with any updates as the situation develops.

Please check our website daily for activities for your children and information from the school.

Please note: we will be calling children’s homes throughout the closure to keep in touch. This may be weekly or more regularly if support is needed.

We understand that this is a worrying time for everybody. We urge everyone to stay calm and follow the government advice. This is updated daily at: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Or contact the DFE helpline:

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday), 10am to 4pm (Saturday to Sunday)

Any child who is offered a place will still be subject to mandatory 14 day isolation if they get a temperature or cough, as is stated in the current guidance.

And remember: if you or your child feels ill and you want to know what to do next, please use NHS 111 online.

We wish you and all your family a healthy extended break and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Best wishes,

Mrs S. Lees

Head Teacher