Dear parents and carers,
You will all be aware of the announcement made by government earlier this
week that schools are to close from today to all but certain groups of pupils.
The government has updated its guidance today about school closures and
this is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-ofeducational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers. If you’re unsure
about whether your child would be classed as vulnerable or if you are a key
worker, please read the government guidance and speak to your child’s
school. If they are able to, schools will be opening on Monday for vulnerable
children and those of key workers. In the days and weeks that follow, schools
will be working in local areas to group together and make the best use of
resources. Schools will keep in contact with you as arrangements are made.
The resilience shown by your children’s schools over the last few weeks has
been truly remarkable and I’m sure you share my heartfelt gratitude for how
school staff have responded to this outbreak. Everyone has total commitment
to ensuring that this unprecedented situation is handled as well as possible.
Schools are working on innovative ways to make sure that children can
access learning over the coming weeks and will be in touch with you about
this.
I know that this will have been an extremely unsettling period for you and your
children, especially those due to sit exams or leave school or move to new
schools later this year. Please be assured that schools will continue to do
everything they can to support pupils during this difficult time. Please also see
the council’s website for a range of other information about services at this
time https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/news/article/560/covid19_affected_birmingham_city_council_services.
Kind regards
Dr Tim O’Neill
Director for Education and Skills
Education and Skills Directorate
1 Lancaster Circus
PO Box 17550
Birmingham
B4 7DJ