Dear Parent and carers,

After receiving confirmation from the government earlier this week, we are so pleased to announce that all pupils will be welcomed back to school from Monday 8^th March 2021.  The whole staff community are both happy and eager to make the return as enjoyable, exciting and most importantly, as safe as possible for all pupils and their families.  We are also pleased to confirm the reopening of our Greswold Greyhounds Childcare facility for before and after school clubs and wrap around.

However, it is vitally important to maintain our stance of safeguarding the school community while abiding with the strict guidance laid out by the government.  This is why the vast majority of procedures adopted from September 2020 will need to continue from the 8^th March.  These expectations will be communicated again to parents early next week. 

Even though an updated parent protocol will be communicated to families very soon, below are some other important headlines regarding reopening:

• Attendance from the 8^th March is mandatory, unless a child is in receipt of an official NHS letter stating they are clinically extremely vulnerable.  Therefore, unauthorised absence marks will be reinstated where necessary, but obviously not for pupils who are required to self-isolate as per government guidance.   
• Hours for all Nursery pupils will revert back to their original sessions as agreed for the start of the academic year in September 2020.  Any Nursery children that accessed wraparound care prior to the January lockdown should look out for further communications from Greswold Greyhounds.  
• Parents of children who wish them to attend Greswold Greyhounds before and after school club should look out for a survey from Abby Hall to establish need.
• Similar start and finish times as September will be used:

Parents will again be allowed to pick up their children from outside classrooms at the end of the day.

• With regards to school uniform, children are expected to wear uniform as usual.  However, results of the recent uniform review will be communicated to parents shortly.  Class teachers will notify pupils and parents through the app of PE days so that children can arrive wearing their kits for the whole day.

I’m sure that parents will understand the need to continue communication with school via email to the school office in order to reduce face to face contact with staff and other adults.  All other protective measures will remain such as regular handwashing, sanitisation, increased cleaning routines, social distancing, as well as adults wearing masks in communal areas.  Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Take care and stay safe.

Mrs K. Scott

Headteacher