Some of you may have seen the announcement from the DFE outlined in the article below:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-55239588

Schools were informed of this decision on an email yesterday afternoon at 2.00pm. The DFE are asking school leaders to assist in the track and trace system by 'being on call' for six days following the last day of school. This is so that if there are any confirmed Covid cases we can inform families and direct them to self-isolate. The DFE has given schools a 'choice' to close schools on Thursday 17th December, making Friday 18th and INSET day thus making the six days end on the 23rd December instead of the 24th. This is so that school leaders are not on call on Christmas Eve.

We have decided to keep our last day of term as Friday 18th December so that disruption to you, our parents and families, is minimal. Also, we feel that this announcement has been made too close to the end of term to make necessary changes or for you to find childcare. 

This means that Mrs Peace and Mrs Fieldhouse will be on call from Friday 18th December. We are not expected to be on call all day but the DFE have suggested that leaders check emails once a day to check if any parents have notified school of any positive test results. Therefore Mrs Peace will check emails up to and including Christmas Eve and we will carry out the necessary calls and paperwork required if needed. 

PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:

• Where a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being in school, the school should not be contacted. Parents and carers should follow contact tracing instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace.
• For the first 6 days after teaching ends, if a pupil or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in school, the school is asked to assist in identifying close contacts and advising self-isolation, as the individual may have been infectious whilst in school.

If you do need to notify school, please email:

headteacher@southparade.wakefield.sch.uk

Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding.