22nd January

Dear parents and carers,

I am writing to let you know that, from next week, all staff at St Mary’s will be offered Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests twice weekly in line with the latest government advice.

While this is a good thing in that it should help to limit the spread of the virus from asymptomatic carriers, it is likely to have an impact on the way the school is able to operate.

A positive test result from a member of staff will mean that the class they have been in will close immediately to all children, regardless of critical worker status. Depending on their role and contacts within school, more than one class may be affected. All learning will move to remote learning.

I recognise that this will cause problems to those of you who need your child to be in school so you can go to work and I hope that the situation does not arise where I have to close a bubble or indeed the school. Being realistic though, I think you will agree it is possible that this will happen. The purpose of this letter is to give you advance warning of this possibility so that you can think about alternative child care should we need to close.

If we do need to close, I am afraid that it will be at short notice because of the time the tests need to be taken and I will contact you by email as soon as I know: please make sure you check your emails and the school website regularly!

Thank you as ever for your ongoing support.