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URGENT - Coronavirus Key Worker SurveyRegarding Christina KavouriadouAltrincham Grammar School For GirlsMar 20 2020, 09:20

URGENT - Coronavirus - Key Worker Survey

Please respond before 2.00pm on Friday 20th March

Dear Parent/Carer

I am writing to request information regarding your status as a key worker. The government has issued the following guidance:

As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That is why the government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, household isolation and social distancing.

And the most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

It is important to underline that schools, colleges and other educational establishments remain safe places for children. But the fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society.

Schools are, therefore, being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.

Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans. We also want to support other children facing social difficulties.

Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined below. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.

Please, therefore, follow these key principles:
- If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
- If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them.
- 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.
- 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 your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision.

Key workers are those who work in the following sectors;
- Health and social care
- Education and childcare
- Key public services
- Local and national government
- Food and other necessary goods
- Public safety and national security
- Transport
- Utilities, communication and financial services

More detail about who are covered by these headings can be found at https://tinyurl.com/sqjewep

In terms of the schools provision, please note that there will be no formal teaching for these students next week. They will be supervised in school, whilst completing the work set for all students to access from home. Those staff who are supervising may not be teachers and almost certainly will not be subject specialists. There will be access to computers, so that students can pick up the work teachers have set. We are working with Sodexo to ensure we can provide something to eat for these students at lunchtime. School will be open to students between 8.30 am and 3.30 pm.

Given the guidance above, we would only anticipate parents sending children in to school if all adults in the family are key workers and if the children are young or vulnerable. 

If this is the case for your, please complete the survey below.

Child/ren's name/s

Year group(s)

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Year 13

In receipt of Free School Meals?

Yes

No

Parent/carer 1 Name

Parent/carer 1 Occupation

Select the relevant key worker category

If you aren't in one of the key worker categories defined BY THE GOVERNMENT please select N/A

Health and social care

Education and childcare

Key public services

Local and national government

Food and other necessary goods

Public safety and national security