Parents told there will be no return to 'normal' at Seahouses Primary School

That is the message from headteacher Vickie Allen and chairman of governors Peter Johnson in a letter to parents.

In the letter, they outline the challenges the school faces if it is to reopen on June 1 for children in reception, Year 1 and Year 6.

“Staff and governors are working really hard to plan the best way to make a return the safest it can be,” they write.

“We have a lower capacity of staff at this time so we are trying to arrange groupings and spaces with available staff,” they explain.

“You need to understand that it will not resemble our usual educational provision. For example, there will be staggered opening and pick up times, your child may not be the same room they are usually taught in and may not be with the adult(s) they usually work with.

“We always put the safety and welfare of our children at the heart of all our decision-making but want to make it clear to you that a return to school will not be a return to ‘normal’ school and it may be that way for some time to come.

“We are planning a model which takes account of government guidance, the local authority guidance and also our own situation at Seahouses Primary, but as the situation evolves we may well have to be flexible.”

“We receive new guidance and advice almost daily which is a challenge, but we are determined to be robust about safety. The local partnership of schools is committed to working together and sharing best practice to find safe solutions.

“It is likely that any provision offered will vary from school to school as comparisons cannot be made as we face our own unique challenges. Once we have a plan which all school stakeholders are assured will be operational, we will share this with families.

“No staff or governing body member wants to delay a return to school for longer than absolutely necessary but we are approaching any changes to our current capacity with considerable caution with safety for the children, staff and families.”

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