12th March 2020
Dear Parent(s)
Re: COVID-19
At Highams Park School, we continue to monitor the Coronavirus situation very closely and are following the latest Government guidelines as they are issued. I attach the link to the specific advice issued to schools and educational settings below for your ease of reference:
We will share any changes to the school status with you via our website and Parent mail communications. We are aware of reports of schools closing on the advice of the Government and taking precautionary measures, and we will link with the Department of Education and Public Health England if any such decision is to be taken. Please note that the guidance that we have been issued with states that “No school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless directed to do so by Public Health England.”
The school currently remains open as normal, we have not been notified of any symptoms in our school community that would suggest the presence of the virus and we have not received any instructions to stop any of our planned school activities. We will of course continue to monitor the advice both for the school setting here at Highams Park and any educational visits that are planned.
The Department for Education (DfE) is providing a helpline to answer any questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, Parents and Students can contact the helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email:
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
Can I thank you for your continued support and understanding as this helps with the management and clear communication regarding the situation. We have this week delivered messages via assemblies to each Year Group reminding everyone of the importance of good hygiene practices, maintaining these will obviously support the ongoing good health of our school community. We will remain cautious but also maintain a good sense of perspective and ask you to help encourage your children, our students to do the same. I will update you if there are any further developments in due course.
Yours faithfully
Mr Phil Grundy
Principal
