Monday 15th November 2021 

Dear Families, 

Can you help? 

As you are aware, we were forced to close for three days prior to half term for health and safety reasons.  An unmanageable, unsustainable level of staff absence caused this.  Some of the absence was due to COVID-19 and the compulsory 10 day isolation period, some of it was due to personal circumstances.  High levels of staff absence, and a lack of cover, is a challenge that many schools are facing. 

Today, we have been able to open safely despite the unavoidable absence of 4 teachers, 5 midday supervisors and 5 teaching assistants.  This is because we have a tremendous staff who are always willing to be flexible, cover additional duties, and if possible, work additional hours.  We have also nurtured strong links with agencies that provide temporary supply teachers. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough to keep us open at the end of last half term and I am therefore contacting you to ask if you can help us to keep our school fully operational in the run up to Christmas.   

• Would you be able to volunteer and help us if we find ourselves struggling to secure adequate staffing levels in the coming weeks?  
• Do you have a current DBS that would enable you to help out in school? 

• Do you have the time to do so? 

Keeping our school fully open is our top priority.  Please email [email protected] if you think that you may be able to help.   

Yours truly, 

Alison Godfrey 

Headteacher