School closure announcement

14 October 2020

Dear parents/guardians,

As you are aware the executive has made an announcement about the new coronavirus restrictions. All schools in Northern Ireland will close for a two week period starting on Monday 19th October. We will close at the normal time on Friday 16th October.

Therefore, our school will close on Monday 19th October for two weeks. The Education Minister has outlined that this is an extension to the half-term holiday. The extension of the half-term holiday will include 3 exceptional closure days and 2 optional holiday days. This means that our prearranged school holiday dates will need to be revised and 2 days will be removed from another holiday period. I will inform parents of the changes to our holiday arrangements in due course.

Our school had already planned a school development day on Monday 2nd November, this will go ahead as planned. Therefore, our pupils will not be in school on Monday 2nd November but will return to school on Tuesday 3rd November.

The Education Minister has stated that as this is an extension of the half-term break and it is not intended to be used for remote learning. We therefore will not be providing remote learning or open to key workers children. Primary 7 pupils who are sitting the transfer test will be provided with transfer test papers and some written material to keep them going.

During the week beginning 19th October direct payments will be made to pupils in receipt of Free School Meals.

Today I have been seeking clarity on a number of areas before I communicated this information to parents. So thank you for your patience and support at this time.

The executive have said that they will keep the situation under review. We as a school are ready to move to remote learning if it is needed again. As always this is a continually evolving landscape and we will keep you as up to date as we can.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs Taylor (Principal)