Spring Term Return Dates

SENT ON BEHALF OF GARETH DRAWMER, HEAD OF ACHIEVEMENT AND LEARNING

Dear Colleagues,

In line with the guidance that we set out yesterday this graphic from the DfE hopefully helps to clarify expectations that have been placed upon schools.

 

I am aware that during an interview with breakfast TV this morning (Thursday), the Secretary of State implied that remote learning was only to be delivered for exam years for the week beginning the 4^th  January.  This appears to be at variance with the graphic above, and as such we hold to our guidance from yesterday for secondary schools: “only vulnerable pupils and children of keyworkers should attend, for all other pupils as far as possible there should be remote learning, with pupils who are in exam year groups receiving as close to normal lessons as possible remotely”

Currently our area is not under the contingency framework and schools should maintain an approach in line with Tier 4 guidance.

I have had several enquiries today regarding the ‘Major Incident’ that was declared yesterday and whether this changes the situation with regard to the contingency framework.  The major incident relates to the number of beds available in our hospitals, which as we know are under extreme pressure at the moment.  Whilst we all have a part to play in supporting the NHS, the decision to implement contingency planning from the DfE is not directly related to this.

We will, of course, update you if we have any further information or updates.

Warm regards,

Gareth Drawmer

Head of Service

Achievement & Learning