Parenta Magazine April 2020

Early years news & views
Early years
news & views
Education Secretary thanks our
schools for their “incredible
resilience and flexibility”
Education secretary, Gavin Williamson,
has written to schools to thank them
for the “incredible resilience and
flexibility they have shown in the face
of unprecedented challenges” and asks
them to go to exceptional lengths in the
fight against coronavirus.
The letter comes amid criticism from
school leaders that the Government
isn’t doing enough to keep them safe
but states that schools are “central to
this country’s fight against coronavirus”.
Here is the transcript of the letter
in full which he has also posted on
Twitter:
“Over recent days, the government
has taken steps that are simply
unprecedented in the history of this
country. The decision to close all
schools, except to a minority of pupils,
is an essential part of our fight against
the spread of Covid-19.
“I have enormous appreciation for
the work you do every single day and
recognise that, with these extraordinary
measures, I am asking you to go
to exceptional lengths to rise to the
challenge we face.
“The weeks and months ahead will
undoubtedly be testing for everyone.
As we move further into uncharted
waters, I wanted to express my deepest
gratitude for the absolutely vital service
that you are providing for our children,
young people and communities.
“By maintaining school provision for
those who need it most, leaders of
our schools and colleges – and your
staff – rightly take their place next to
our NHS staff and other critical workers
as central to our country’s efforts in
battling this virus.
“Thank you for stepping up to this
challenge with such dedication and
determination. I know that you have
moved quickly to implement last week’s
announcement. Over the last few days,
I have heard extraordinary examples
of school leaders and teachers
responding with flexibility, pragmatism
and creativity – demonstrating true civic
spirit in unparalleled circumstances.
“Thanks to you, and particularly those
of you working in our special schools,
our most vulnerable children and young
people will still have the support, care
and constancy of school environments if
they need it.
“You are also the reason critical workers
across the country can continue to
deliver the crucial frontline services
that are central to our national effort to
tackle Covid-19.
“I know this will be a difficult time. I’m
aware that the challenge of delivering
these measures sits alongside
considerations about your own health
and that of your families.
“I recognise that you will also be
anxious about the wellbeing of your
staff and about the longer-term impact
of this crisis on the children and young
people you care for and educate every
single day.
“We have published initial guidance
on how best to keep your staff and
students safe, and will continue to work
with the sector to answer you concerns.
I will do everything in my power to
support you.
“On behalf of the Prime Minster and
the entire Government, thank you once
again for all your hard work.”
Gavin Williamson
• Number of coronavirus (COVID-19)
cases and risk level in the UK.
This information is updated daily.
• Guidance for schools and other
educational settings in providing
advice about the novel coronavirus,
COVID-19.
• Implementing social distancing in
education and childcare settings.
Covid-19, the latest
developments
all in one
all
place
in one place
• Information for parents and carers
about the closure of schools and other
educational settings following the
outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Covid-19
the latest developments...
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news from the Government’s
general guidance, advice from the Department for Education
and also from Ofsted.
Here are all the handy links you need, all in one place.
• Department for Education Coronavirus
helpline. The Department for Education
has launched a new helpline for early
years providers, schools and colleges
– as well as parents, carers and young
people – who have questions about
coronavirus.
If you have specific questions about
the virus, you can contact the helpline
on: Call: 0800 046 8687
Email: dfe.coronavirushelpline@
education.gov.uk
• Information about routine Ofsted
inspections suspended in response to
coronavirus can be found here.
FACEBOOK
You can find a huge amount of really
useful information and can request
and offer help too on this official NHS
Coronavirus Facebook page here:
4 April 2020 | parenta.com
parenta.com | April 2020 5