Dear Parents

I'm writing to let you know that we have now been instructed to close the school to almost all children from Friday 20th March 2020 until further notice. All public examinations have been cancelled.

As advised by the government, we will be open for the children of key workers, those with an EHCP and vulnerable children. The cabinet office is producing the list of key workers later today and this is expected to include NHS staff, police, fire fighters, teachers and supermarket delivery drivers.

The guidance is that both of the parents who care for their children must be key workers for their children still to attend school. For example, if dad is a nurse and mum is a police officer their children would qualify. If dad is a nurse and mum is a lawyer, they would not qualify. Single parents qualify if they are a key worker. If you are in doubt please check the government advice online before emailing the school office.

If you believe that your children qualify to be children of key workers, and you intend to send them into school, please let your child's Head of Year know by 11am tomorrow so we can plan for next week. Parents of Charvil pupils should let Charvil reception know. Details of the opening arrangements for next week will be sent out tomorrow.

The children are aware of the many online learning platforms we use and they should access these during school closure. Teaching staff will do their utmost to set and monitor work if they are fit and able. Please remember that many staff may be unwell, self-isolating or caring for their own children and elderly relatives.

The school continues to analyse and predict staff absences, balancing the impact on students and staff.

• Today, Thursday 19^th March 2020, school is closed to Years 10 and 12.
• Friday 20th March 2020, school will be closed to Years 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support and many, many kind messages.

Yours faithfully

D J Gray Headteacher