News

Update regarding school closure, key workers and vulnerable children

Fri 20 Mar 2020 MF

This update was sent out to parents earlier today...

20 March 2020

Dear Parents/Carers,

Please be advised that the information regarding critical workers has now been published by the Department for Education - please click on the link below for full details.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

This list is aimed at those parents, whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response. However it is important to emphasise for your child’s own safety that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

Please, therefore, follow these key principles:

1. If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.

2. If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then provision will be available for them.

3. Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.

4. Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.

If, after following these principles, your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors then your child will be prioritised for provision.

In order to make these arrangements, please contact the school office by telephoning 01773 713217, 07935119257 or email mailto:enquiries@howitt.derbyshire.sch.uk.

This provision will take place at Howitt Primary Community School between 9.00am - 3.30pm (Monday to Friday). In the event this can no longer happen, due to staffing shortages, you will of course be notified with immediate effect and provided with details of an alternative provision.

The school office will be taking calls and emails until 4.30pm today in order for your child to attend on Monday 23 March, if your employment falls within a critical sector.

May I take this opportunity to thank you all for your understanding and continued support this week, through what continues to be some very challenging times.

Yours sincerely

Lynn Pilling

Headteacher

Coronavirus update

Fri 13 Mar 2020

From Friday 13 March, the guidance to schools on managing the spread of coronavirus has changed.

People with symptoms are no longer asked to call NHS 111, but rather to look for information on the NHS website and 111 online.

Anyone with a ‘new, continuous’ cough or high temperature has been asked to stay at home and self-isolate for seven days.

There are no planned changes to timetables or school opening. Howitt Primary Community School will continue to open as usual, and to take specific public health advice on a daily basis.

Please use the link for further information
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51711227

Dodgeball winners

Wed 11 Mar 2020 MF

We had success recently with our entries at the local Dodgeball tournaments...with our Year 2 team coming in a strong 3rd place.... but our Y6 team won all of their matches and won the overall tournament. Well done!