17/06/2020
Dear Pupils, Parents and Guardians,
I hope you are all well and it clear from the people I have spoken to that everyone is making the very best of these difficult times, despite the strange weather we are having. More children are in the keyworker groups at school and it is working well.
A recent joint communication was sent out by the Collaboration of Glossop Schools that postponed increasing pupils accessing our schools until Monday 22nd June. This decision was taken in light of the R number in the North West (which at that time had exceeded 1.0) and the decision of Tameside Schools to also postpone wider opening. However, recent data suggests that this number is now falling and if this continues to be the case, the COGS headteachers have agreed to introduce additional pupils from Monday 22nd June in line with our previously discussed local arrangements.
For our school, this means we will be inviting year 6 pupils back into school from Monday 22/06/2020. At this point, due to the current government restrictions and staffing capacity, we will not be able to offer places before September for Nursery, Reception and Year 1 pupils. We are very disappointed that we won’t be able to welcome them back sooner and if the situation changes, we will let you know and offer more places. Please be aware that if R rises, we may need to delay wider opening.
For parents of year 6 pupils, if you want to take a place, please email keyworker@st-james.derbyshire.sch.uk You must book your places and due to staffing capacity, we will prioritise the pupils that wanted a place when the online poll was completed in May. Year 6 pupils will need to arrive at 9:15am and be collected at 3:15pm and please try to arrive as close to those times as possible to minimise contact with other pupils and parents. As this will reduce contact time, we will not close at lunchtime on a Friday as previously stated. The pupils will be in two groups and it is more than likely that they will not be taught by their class teacher.
We are all disappointed we cannot see more of the pupils and I am incredibly proud of how everyone has approached this difficult period. The emails from pupils and parents and the work sent has been amazing, keep it up. As guidance changes, I will keep you all informed about general and class arrangements for next year.
Please continue to take care of yourselves and others.
Best wishes
Craig Woodward
Headteacher
