School Closure-Childcare Update

Dear Parents/Carers,

Thank you for your patience and support; we have been overwhelmed with offers of kindness and help from staff and families. You will not be surprised to learn that school and kitchen staff at Drake have volunteered to continue to provide childcare and help.

We are currently navigating the recent changes regarding the guidance provided to schools about school closure and key workers from the Government.

From Monday, all teachers will be engaged in virtual learning for pupils who are at home. Please see our other letter regarding home learning.

At Drake, we will provide childcare within our Little Pirates and POD spaces.

This childcare will run from 8:45am until 3:30pm.

I am in communication with other headteachers in Thetford and the local authority and if we are unable to accommodate children in our setting, we will look to provide childcare in another location in Thetford.

For families eligible for free school meals, we will have more information soon once the school’s contractor has reached a decision.

By the end of the day, we have contacted all families and spoken to them if they have identified themselves as key workers and where children are deemed to be vulnerable or have informed us that they are vulnerable.

The current circumstances are unprecedented and challenging for everyone. The main advice from the Government remains that people should stay at home and school is closed.

Please note that the guidance to parents states that they should ONLY ask if they really need a place and priority will be given in school if both parents are key workers.

By providing this childcare, we hope to safeguard families and staff alike from Coronavirus as much as we possibly can.

Thank you for continued support,

Louise Rosen, Headteacher.