Dear Parents and Carers

I have been instructed by the UK Government to close Newtown C of Primary School. The school will not be open from Monday 23^rd March and pupils should not come to school until further notice is given, except for children of key workers and vulnerable children.

I understand that for some members of the Newtown C of E Primary School family this will be unwelcomed news, particularly as it will have an impact on your day-to-day living. For others, you will be wondering whether your profession meets the government criteria of ‘key worker’. Whilst there are many definitions of key workers on the internet, I will await more detailed communication from Hampshire County Council and/or the Government, and as soon as I am aware of this, I will contact you. My best advice to families is to seek alternative childcare, but to avoid leaving children with older relatives.

So, to reiterate:

• Newtown C of E Primary School will not be open to all children from Monday until further notice
• Newtown C of E Primary School will only be open for those classified as vulnerable and to the children of key workers until further notice. We will be in touch with you if this applies to your child.

I will keep in regular contact with you and will let you know when the school is reopening by contacting all parents.

Your child’s learning is important to us, so during the closure we will continue to support pupils:

What we will continue to do:

• Ensure all pupils can access home/online learning via our website https://www.newtownceprimary.co.uk/home-learning-resources/ which are regularly updated and available to download. The home learning resources can also be found on our website by visiting the CHILDREN’S section and by clicking on Home Learning Resources.
• New learning will be added to the website in your year group folders after Friday 3^rd April and weekly after that
• Monitor the adminoffice@newtown.hants.sch.uk email address. Please use this address to email your child’s class teacher or the school at any-time during the school closure. Please mark each email for the attention of the member of staff you wish to contact.
• Constantly update you with any notices via Parentmail, via our website and via social media.
• Write to you all weekly
• Try to ensure there are arrangements in place for families in need to access meals for their children. (We are in constant liaison with HC3S - Hampshire Catering Team, Foodshare and further information regarding food vouchers will be communicated shortly)

What we will not continue to do, during the closure:

• Provide any school trips, events or activities
• Provide after-school club
• Provide extra-curricular clubs
• Facilitate parent meetings
• Provide breakfast club (TBC)

We appreciate the closure will have an impact on you and your family and it is far from an ideal scenario, however I am being directed by Public Health England, the Department for Education and the Government. I will keep in touch with any updates as the situation develops.

In terms of year 6 SATs, the government has cancelled school exams in May and we are awaiting further details. Once again, I will communicate any updates to you as I receive formal notification. In terms of breakfast club and the arrangements for those children of key workers and vulnerable children, I will contact each of you tomorrow to formalise arrangements for Monday, however I imagine that the school will be open from 8am so that all children attending school on Monday can receive breakfast and be ready for the start of their day. 

Please do not hesitate to get in touch, if you have any concerns, questions or queries by emailing adminoffice@newtown.hants.sch.uk This email address will be checked daily. Please continue to use the NHS website www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ if you or a member of your family feels ill and you want to know what to do next.

I do hope in this unprecedented time that you feel the school has taken every measure to keep you well informed. On behalf of myself, the Governors and Senior Leadership Team, please ensure you keep your family safe and we look forward to welcoming you back on our return.

I have been overwhelmed by your continued appreciation of our ongoing communication during these challenging times. It is a privilege to be Headteacher of a school that has the continued support and love of the parents and wider community. 

Mrs. E Howlett

Headteacher