SEND
Minister Ford’s Open Letter to the SEND Sector
In an open letter to children and young people with SEND, their parents/ carers, and families and all others who support them, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, Vicky Ford MP, stated that the Government’s aim for SEND, through the Coronavirus Bill and further proposed changes, is to balance the needs of this vulnerable group to receive the support they need with managing the demands on local authorities and health bodies to respond to this outbreak. You can read the letter in full here.
Guidance being followed by the school
We are following the advice of Public Health England (PHE) which can be found on the PHE website:
Public Health England - Coronavirus Updates
We continue to emphasise with both staff and pupils the importance of handwashing and hygiene, in line with the guidance about how best to prevent the spread of infection. We are taking opportunities to reinforce these messages regularly and to encourage staff and pupils to wash their hands at regular points throughout the school day.
The Department for Education has launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687 (Opening hours: 8am to 6pm- Monday to Friday)
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk