Dear Parents and Carers,
As previously mentioned, I would write to you when I had more information regarding the release of the national voucher scheme. We have now been able to apply for these and they will be available from the 18th January for 4 weeks (not including half term). These are the same as before and there is £15 per eligible pupil who is entitled to free school meals per week. If your child is attending school, they will not be able to claim the voucher as they can receive a free school meal in school. As before, these are available to redeem at most local supermarkets. When these are available for collection, we will message you on the school app to let you know.
I also have some very good news! Teignmouth Community Schools at Mill Lane (primary phase) and Exeter Road (secondary phase) have been thrilled to receive an amazing new year’s gift! An anonymous benefactor has given the schools £10,000 to be used for the purchase of IT equipment to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children in their learning during the lockdown.
The exceptionally generous donation comes from a member of the local community who is keen to support those in need in our area, particularly the young and elderly. The money will be used by us to purchase tablets to enable children to access their remote learning at home. Longer term, these devices will continue to support children with their homework and staying connected in this increasingly digital world.
We are also awaiting our devices from the Government which should turn up in the next few days. The criteria for these is that they should go to disadvantaged pupils first. If you need a device, could you please e-mail andrew.webber@teignmouthschool.co.uk. These will then be allocated based on need. There will be a home school agreement/contract to sign and they will need to be returned to us once children return fully to school.
Following the government announcement of the closure of all schools on 4th January 2021 we have been offering on site places to the children of critical workers and vulnerable children as required in the DfE guidance.
We would however urge parents to consider the updated guidance of 8th January 2021 which stated:
Children with at least one parent or carer who is a critical worker can go to school or college if required but parents and carers should keep their children home if they can.
We would remind parents that the safest place for children to be is at home at this time. Mixing with other children will heighten the risk of infection and should be avoided unless there are NO OTHER OPTIONS.
The Health Minister Matt Hancock has said “If you’re a key worker and your partner doesn’t work then you shouldn’t be sending your children to school.’ and this week, Chief Medical Officers advised on BBC Radio that getting case numbers down was “everybody’s problem”, and “every unnecessary contact” with someone from another household gave the virus an opportunity to be transmitted.
We currently have 27% of our pupils coming into school and want to keep those numbers as low as possible to keep everyone safe. Many thanks in advance for your consideration and cooperation.
We have been delighted with the way the children have approached their home learning, thank you for supporting them, we don’t underestimate the work that involves.
If you wish to contact me to discuss any of this further, please do so via e-mail on Annabelle.thomas@teignmouthschool.co.uk
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Annabelle Thomas
Head of School