Letter on return to school

Monday 15^th June 2020

Dear parents/carers,

The Minister of Education, Peter Weir, has informed principals that he has established an Education Restart Programme to address the phased reopening of schools. The Restart Programme Board will consider the following:

• Physical protection of staff and pupils
• Well-being of staff and pupils
• Vulnerable learners and SEN services
• Standards and learning
• A new normal – new school day arrangements

As we receive guidance and direction from the Department of Education, we will be in a position to finalise our arrangements for a phased reopening. I recognise that parents are anxious for details about how the pupils will returning the new term and that is why we want to ensure that the information we give you is as accurate as possible and in line with DE guidance. I envisage that this will incorporate a new blended approach to education where our pupils will be educated through a mixture of remote learning at home and face-to-face teaching at school. Therefore, not all pupils will return to school as normal at the beginning of the next academic year and may only attend school on a timetabled basis.

Formulation of this letter has come about as a result of consultation and collaboration between all Primary School Principals in the West Belfast ALNC, whose staff teams, both teaching and non-teaching, have been working to prepare for the children’s return. We are putting risk assessments in place, adapting our curriculum planners and considering how we can provide your children with the best possible learning experience when they return.

When we receive the guidance from the Minister we will make you aware of our plans so that you can begin to make the necessary arrangements for childcare provision, etc. We realise that this is an extremely stressful time for parents and we will not keep you waiting for information longer than is necessary.

Thank you once again for your continued support.

Yours sincerely,

C Donnelly

Principal