Fairfields Primary School

Dear parents and carers,

We have had additional staff members testing positive over the weekend – This includes teachers in Years 1,2,3,5 and all teachers in Year 4.  The Department for Education have made it clear that schools should remain open and adapt as much as possible for pupils in school.  This is because they have already missed so much of their education over the last two years.  I have also spoken to Hampshire advisors this afternoon, who echo this view. 

After a meeting with the senior leaders this evening, we have devised a plan which includes making use of cover teachers, external instructors and higher level teaching assistants to cover staff absence. 

Where numbers in year groups are low, classes will double up.  An alternative curriculum will be taught in some classes which is not part of their normal timetable.  Where teachers are well, they will also be providing live online lessons with support staff covering the class.  I have also asked the teachers to pause the teaching of new skills until the majority of their class returns.  We cannot say who will be allocated to our SEND pupils if they have 1:1 as this changes daily. 

All clubs will be postponed for the next two weeks apart from Bootcamp as we cannot guarantee that staff will be able to cover them.  School-led tutoring will also be postponed for the next two weeks until staff are able to return to school. 

Although the isolation period has been reduced to 5 days, we are finding that staff are not testing positive on day 5 and 6 and are unable to return.  This means that we cannot predict when staff will be able to return. 

We will be removing the year 2 and 5 bubble from tomorrow, as all year groups have now met the threshold.  Staff will continue to social distance from staff in other year groups and will wear masks in communal areas.  They will also test daily for the next two weeks.

We will introduce more regular cleaning of toilet areas and will continue to hand sanitise pupils between lessons.  We will be closing the library and avoid sharing indoor equipment between year groups. 

Please can we urge that you only send your child to school if they are well to help protect the remaining work force.

I will continue to update you on cases throughout the week.  If you are concerned or would like to talk to me, please email the school office who will arrange a zoom meeting as I am isolating. 

Finally, in my absence, please do take time to show appreciation to the staff who are in school.  Many of them are working additional hours and taking on additional responsibilities. 

Thank you in advance for your continued support.

Miss Kelly Dillon

Headteacher