Director's Message - 22nd May 2020

Dear Colleagues,

As we reach the half-term point, many of you are busy working on your phased re-opening risk assessment and plans to ensure that your staff and children are safe. 

I am pleased to re-share the Council's offer of support with protective measure requirements for schools' letter, which was sent to all Hillingdon schools earlier today. 

With only a week to go before primary schools commence with a wider phased return for priority year groups, the DfE and Regional Schools' Commissioner's Office would like all primary schools to complete a short reopening status report survey. We have added a section within the survey for schools to request further support from the LA if needed.

Please could all primary schools complete this survey by 12pm on Tuesday 26th May to enable the DfE to collate statistics across England. Apologies, I do appreciate this is short notice, unfortunately we only received the request this afternoon.  

Primary school reopening survey    

The DfE has updated and added new guidance which you can access through our LEAP FAQs. 

The key areas are:

• May-half term - as mentioned in last week's FAQs (15.05.20), the decision to open over the May half term is for the school leaders to decide depending on parent / carer demand for critical workers' children. 
• The Free School Meals guidance has been updated regarding claiming for additional costs, providing meals or food parcels through your food provider and ordering vouchers to cover multiple weeks.
• School reports due by the end of the summer term.

I hope that you will find some time next week to take a break and recharge your batteries. 

Thank you, to you and your school team for all your hard work and tenacity to continue to provide education to our residents during these challenging times.  

Best wishes

Dan