COROANVIRUS UPDATE
13th March 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
Parkside Coronavirus Update
We are all acutely aware of the level of concern surrounding the current Coronavirus outbreak. Whilst I do hope that more serious measures are not required, it does feel important to share with you what we would do in the event of any potential full or partial school closure or a significant outbreak of cases within our school community.
Students, staff and visitors have been encouraged to wash their hands regularly and the school has fortunately been able to operate as normal. This is being continually reinforced during lessons and assemblies.
As a precautionary measure, however, over the last few days we have been reviewing our current Business Continuity Plan to ensure that measures are in place should the Coronavirus situation escalate nationally.
Parents and carers are encouraged to read school emails regularly and check our website and social media platforms for regular updates.
Please note that the information below is very much a precautionary measure and we continue to hope that such steps would not be required.
What if a period of self-isolation is required for my child?
Parents and carers of children who need to self-isolate, following Public Health England’s advice, should inform the school as soon as possible by emailing admin@parkside.herts.sch.uk This information will be treated with the strictest of confidence. This email address will be monitored by the Senior Leadership Team and support put in place.
Contingency Planning – Remote Education
As the UK prepares to move into the ’Delay’ phase of the national action plan, Parkside Community Primary School has been developing its preparations for maintaining a reasonable level of educational continuity for students should Public Health England or the Government decides that the school has to close for a period of time.
How to complete school work at home if self-isolation is required
If self-isolation is required, children should access learning activities via their class pages on the school website. Links will be available to the following websites that children will have access to for them to continue their education:
https://www.educationcity.com/
https://www.purplemash.com/login/
The work completed by students should be returned to the school via these portals and their teachers will endeavour to mark your son or daughter’s work. Please ensure your child records their name carefully on each piece of work submitted to school for marking.
I have detailed below the email addresses for your child’s class teacher should you need to contact them. As you are aware, Parkside Community Primary School places pastoral care as top priority and our staff would be available to support you and your child during this crisis.
Child’s direct email addresses are shown below:
| Year Group | Classteacher | Email address |
| Nursery | Mrs Harrison | kerry.harrison@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| Reception Fir | Miss Chandler | kim.chandler@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| Reception Pine | Miss Hemsworth | ruby.hemsworth@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| 1 Lime | Mrs Laughton | carla.laughton@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| 1 Maple | Miss Koss | michaela.koss@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| 2 Alder | Mrs Kapoor | riju.kapoor@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| 2 Willow | Mrs Weinstein | melanie.weinstein@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| 3 Birch | Miss Ayrton | elle.ayrton@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| 4 Aspen | Miss Daglish | bethany.daglish@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| 4 Rowan | Mrs Banton | cora.banton@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| 5 Ash | Mrs Castell | edurne.castell@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| 5 Cedar | Mrs Samways | ruth.samways@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| 6 Cherry | Miss Wood | janette.wood@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
| 6 Oak | Mr Wanless | liam.wanless@parkside.herts.sch.uk |
What happens if we get to a point where a significant portion of students are required to stay away from school, or the school has to close completely?
The school would only be closed on the direction of Public Health England and following their advice. This remains unlikely but must, nevertheless, be planned for. However, owing to potential high levels of sickness amongst the staff and/or student body, part closure or reduced hours may be a necessary step to secure the safety and well-being of our school community.
The school’s plans for educating students remotely should offer a meaningful programme of lessons, marking and feedback and discussions with class teachers and senior leaders are ongoing to ensure that all members of staff are confident in working from home from the moment that any closure occurs. It may be necessary to organise additional training and preparation time for teachers.
If any family does not have access to the internet and would therefore find accessing any of the websites above impossible, please get in touch with your child’s classteacher as soon as possible so that alternative means of communication can be considered.
Do I need to avoid public places?
Most people can continue to go to work, school and other public places. It’s very unlikely that the virus can be spread through things like packages or food.
You only need to stay away from public places (self-isolate) if advised to by the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or a medical professional.
The advice of good hygiene in hand-washing and ‘catching coughs and sneezes’ remains the most effective way of reducing the risk of transmitting the virus.
Parkside Community Primary School is renowned for its welcome and friendliness. Should you be a visitor to our school the warm welcome remains, however, the physical act of shaking hands will be restricted. Please do not be offended as you will still be welcomed with a smile and compassion.
Parkside Community Primary School prides itself in nurturing our students and their families and in order to continue this support throughout any partial closure period, families should continue to contact the school on 0208 387 3000. In the event of a full closure, the school will send regular updates via email and text messages. Finally, I would like to thank all of our children, parents / carers and staff for being understanding and supportive during this national and international crisis regarding the coronavirus.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Charles Soyka
Headteacher
