Dear Parent/ Guardian, 

Following the Welsh Government’s announcement, in regard to the arrangements for the new term in January, 2021, I am writing to confirm the approach for St Martins School in line with all other schools in Caerphilly. 

This decision has been based upon the increasing number of staff shortages due to positive cases and self-isolation across Wales together with the concern that these numbers are, of course, unpredictable for the first week of term. 

As a result the first two days of the new term 4th and 5th of January will be used for reviewing our risk assessments and ensuring we have safe staffing levels and procedures in place to manage our school safely and care for the learners on their return to face to face teaching. 

On these days teachers will provide live online lessons for all learners to ensure that there is continuity of learning.  Following these distance learning days, face to face provision will be available for eligible key worker childcare and vulnerable pupils, and we will contact other groups/classes of learners to begin their learning on site as soon as is safely possible and prioritising examination classes first.

All pupils will be back in school for face to face learning by Monday, 18th January, 2021, at the latest, with the exception of classes closed due to self-isolation or staff shortages.

Other points to note

1. Pupils entitled to free school meals will continue to receive deliveries
2. Pupils having provision on site will be required to bring a packed lunch.
3. The Welsh Government list of key workers is extensive, so priority for applications will be given to those from frontline emergency services, social care and education staff in the first instance, in line with our current context in Caerphilly.

The local authority is currently reviewing eligibility of previous childcare applications so that parents/carers can be informed of the outcome next week. Please contact the educationwelfare@caerphilly.gov.uk mailbox to apply if your circumstances have changed since March, 2020, e.g. school, occupation, etc., or it is a new application

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE STATEMENT FROM THE LOCAL AUTHORITY

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE STATEMENT FROM THE WELSH GOVERNMENT