INSET Day Next Friday

Dear parents/ carers

As you will be aware yesterday (8th December 2020) the Government announced that it would be possible for schools to have an INSET day on the 18th of December. School will be closed for virtual staff training on Friday 18th December. The reason for this is because if children are in school on Friday 18th December, school staff would be involved in track and trace for any positive cases in the school community until Christmas Day. By closing to pupils on 17th December, school staff would not be required to carry out track and trace on Christmas Day. 

In the interest of wellbeing for the staff and children in the school I have taken the decision that Christmas is needed for all - this will allow a time where all can recharge their batteries ready for the Spring term. 

I appreciate that this is late notice. For those who have had any communication and dialogue with me I hope that you will know that the wellbeing of your children and the staff is an absolute priority for me. This is the driving force behind this decision. 

I know that you have supported the school so well this half term. It has not been easy for anyone and for this I am so grateful. Making sure that you and your children are not self-isolating during the Christmas break is vitally important. As such the restrictions we have in place currently will be upheld and we will do our upmost to ensure that your Christmas is not stuck in self-isolation.

For my part I would like to thank you again for your patience and understanding. I hope you all have a superb Christmas and can enjoy the time together.

Arrangements for the end of term
This means that the last teaching day of the autumn term will be Thursday 17 December 2020.  This will be a full school day.  The spring term will start on Monday 4 January 2021.
 
COVID-19 reporting
If children are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 they should not attend school.
 
If your child tests positive for COVID-19 within six days of Thursday 17 December 2020 AND had symptoms develop on Friday 18 December or Saturday 19 December 2020, please contact 119 and the school by emailing me on gtucker@educ.somerset.gov.uk or message the Facebook page.   It is important that parents continue to notify us of positive cases during this time so we are able to identify any individuals that may have had close contact with the positive case in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
 
If your child tests positive for COVID-19 and had symptoms develop from Sunday 20 December 2020, please contact 119 for advice only.