Charlton School

19.06.20 LCT Update to Parents

Dear Parents,

I hope you are well and been able to return to a little bit of normality with some of the lockdown restrictions lifted.

We have had a great week as we see children and young people back in all our schools, they have been brilliant and are clearly delighted to be back. Y10 students at Charlton, Ercall Wood and HLC have embraced the opportunity to access their teachers and subjects. We have had about 80% attendance, and on some days higher, the students tell us they are happy and feel very safe. They have been great with social distancing and understand what is expected when they are in the buildings. This is a significant step forward for all of us and means we can get Y10 into a positive position before the summer and ready for Y11.

HLC Primary and Wrekin View Primary are doing a great job with nursery, Reception, Y1 and Y6 and again children are managing very well and happy to be in school, we are seeing around 50-60% of children in school each day from these classes. The bubbles are working well and we have had positive feedback from parents resulting in more children attending school each week.

Queensway has always seen numbers in school, steadily rise over the last few weeks and we are delighted to see many back in school on a part-time basis this month. The school has offered incredible support to these children and their families during lock down.

I know for many parents it is a real challenge having children at home because we are not allowed to have them in school under the current guidance from the Department of Education. We continue to focus on Home Learning for all children not in school and to do our very best for them for the remainder of the term.

We are seeing significant increases in the number of children in our key worker and vulnerable provision as parents need to return to work and we will keep managing this as well.

I am sure you have seen in the media the amazing work by Marcus Rashford to challenge the Government to provide Free School Meal vouchers over the summer holidays. The U-turn, as a response to this by the PM, is very welcome, I know many families will be very relieved to know this is in place for the six week break. Our administrators will be organising this ready for the start of the holidays.

I have to thank our fantastic staff, across the Trust, for all they have done to prepare for children in school, to keep providing quality Home Learning and also very importantly pastoral support for those finding life pretty tough at the moment.

We are pressing the Government for important decisions for September. It is great news today to hear we will receive some additional funding to support our children’s catch up next academic year and get them back on track which, I am confident we will be able to do as soon as we are able to fully open our schools.

Hopefully, the weather improves and you can enjoy the weekend!

My best wishes to you and your family.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Gill Eatough

CEO LCT