A message from Paul Wagstaff,
Director of Education & Skills
6 January 2021
Dear colleagues
Following the announcements late on Monday evening regarding schools and the current national lockdown, I am aware that many of you are anxious to plan and have systems in place for the remainder of this half term.
The announcement was clear but the detail underneath is less so and we are still expecting further information as the week progresses. However, whilst many employees have submitted a Section 44 letter of concern regarding working in the school with a full cohort of pupils, the submitted letters do indicate a willingness to plan and work remotely but also to attend school to teach and support vulnerable pupils and the children of critical workers.
I attach a draft letter which you may wish to personalise and send to those staff who have submitted Section 44 letters to acknowledge their concern and confirm working arrangements now that the situation has changed.
In planning for your face to face groups, currently no new limit has been communicated with respect of the size of learning bubbles in classrooms. This may change but currently it is not required to have teaching groups of less than 15. We do ask for you to consider the size of teaching spaces and Covid safety protocols which the school has considered as part of its risk assessment. We ask that, with the reduced overall number of pupils attending for face to face provision, you may need to be flexible in both size of groups and deployment of the staff available.
Attendance at School
In response to the national lockdown announced on 4 January 2021, the DfE has issued further guidance on school attendance.
Key points:
Vulnerable Children
- The criteria for definition of a vulnerable children can be found here.
- Vulnerable children are still expected to attend school full time
- Schools and colleges should encourage vulnerable children to attend
- If the parent of a vulnerable child chooses not to send their child to school, the parent should inform the school. Schools should then code the register with a ‘C’ authorised absence, unless another authorised absence code is more applicable
- Where the parent has not informed the school and the child is absent, the school should follow their normal parental contact protocols
- If the vulnerable child is shielding, self-isolating or quarantining in line with PHE advice and guidance, the register should be coded ‘X’
Children of key / critical workers
- Children of critical worker parents and carers should let schools know if their child will not be attending and, if not, schools should code ‘C’
All other students
- All other students, not expected to attend should be marked as code X. As they are following public health advice
Should you have any further quires regarding school attendance, contact Pupil Entitlement Investigation on Email PEI@westsussex.gov.uk or phone 0330 222 8200
Critical Workers
In planning for the education of children of critical workers and also vulnerable pupils, we are aware that the number of parents claiming critical worker status appears to be significantly greater than during the summer 2020. The DfE’s guidance clarifies critical workers as being ‘parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU transition response'. A full list of those roles that qualify are detailed explicitly in the guidance. However, it includes those who work in health and social care, education and childcare, key public services, food and other necessary goods, public and national security, transport and border, utilities, communication and financial services, and local and national government. I recognise that this is a broad list. However, guidance currently directs that qualifying children are those with ‘at least one parent or carer’ who is a critical worker. It does not deem that both parents/carers have to be on the critical worker list. If the government changes its position on this in the coming weeks, we will let you know immediately.
Children who have one parent who is a critical worker should not be treated any differently to those who have both parents or carers as critical workers.
Although an increased number of parents are claiming to meet the criteria as critical workers, it is appropriate to challenge this premise if you do not feel their job role meets the attached criteria, even if they have a letter from their employer. We do expect that all children of critical workers are able to access face to face provision in schools at this time in line with national guidance.
Letter for Parents
I am aware that some parents will be disappointed by the lockdown and the return to home learning. I do not underestimate that yourselves as headteachers and governors will be on the front line in managing any upset or frustration. I therefore attach a letter which you may wish to circulate to parents explaining the current situation.
Free School Meals
The guidance provided on the provision of free school meals to date has not been clear and we have been working through this to bring greater clarity for schools. Please see the attached letter which explain the process in West Sussex.
Secondary School Lateral Flow Tests
Whilst we are aware that kits have been distributed to all secondary schools and webinars have been provided nationally, we are picking up that there is currently conflicting advice and answers to questions being raised by those schools who have begun to undertake, or are planning to undertake, the tests in school from the various helplines advertised. Our advice at the moment is that, due to the other pressures facing schools in planning for the new arrangements this half term, it would be wise to focus on the other key priorities linked to establishing systems for students to access learning either at home or face to face. We will be picking up the conflicting messages with the appropriate authorities and will advise schools once there is greater consistency and clarity in the messaging.
Please do not try and deal with the current situation in isolation. We are all working through this to ensure that we do the best for our pupils, staff and parents. It is important that you review your risk assessments in light of any changes and learning that has taken place. Please make contact with your link adviser should you have any queries or need for advice, or contact E&SwelfareGroup@westsussex.gov.uk.
Best wishes
Paul
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