St Luke's C of E Primary School

Select Language

Corona Virus Update 20/03/2020

Dear Parents & Carers,

Firstly, thank you for your patience during this unprecedented period, we know that you have been waiting for this letter.

Free School Meals Provision
We know that free school meals are important for many families. We have been looking at ways to ensure that eligible free school meal children can continue to be supported. We are pleased to confirm that from Tuesday 24th March, those pupils can come into school and have a hot meal between 12noon and 1pm. Please send a direct message on Class Dojo, leave a message on the school answerphone or e-mail admin@st-lukes-primary.lambeth.sch.uk and let us know if this is something that you would be interested in as soon as possible so that we can arrange this.

Schooling for children of critical worker or have a vulnerable child
We are delighted to able to play our part in the current situation by remaining open from Tuesday 24th March for the children of key workers at the front line of the crisis and for vulnerable children.

Last night, the Government published its guidance on which groups we should provide for. Full details can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with an EHCP.

The Government’s main message is that, if it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be there rather than mixing with others to avoid the virus spreading. Please do not leave your children with the elderly or other vulnerable adults. If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them if no other alternative arrangement can be made. Children should not be going on play dates etc.

We will open our school from 8.50am until 3.00pm. Families will be able to opt-in or opt-out of our provision on a weekly basis, notifying the school of any changes by Wednesday of each week. We will need to see some evidence of your entitlement from your employer to this provision. Please send a direct message on Class Dojo, leave a message on the school answerphone or e-mail admin@st-lukes-primary.lambeth.sch.uk and inform us which days you require.

There will be a daily register, with the list of pupil names updated each week. If you have opted-in for the week, we will expect you to notify us by 8.30am if they are unable to attend on a particular day (or even sooner if you can). This will enable us to keep your children safe and plan for their day.

If you or your child has a temperature and/or a new persistent cough, please do not come into school. Please telephone and leave a message on the answerphone. It is important that we safeguard the children attending school and our staff.

Children whose parents and not key workers nor are vulnerable
All other children will need to stay at home, so we ask that you do not send your child into school from Monday onwards. Please note that this is a national closure so while it is a challenging situation, we are not alone. We will re-open fully as soon as we can and will let you know when this is by an update on our website.

Please complete the form on our website. If you are able to send the documentation from your employer, please e-mail it to admin@st-lukes-primary.lambeth.sch.uk or bring to the school.

At a time in which there is a great deal of anxiety and stress among families, we are doing our best to provide an environment that makes your roles as key workers easier to fulfil and ensures your children are well cared for and given the support they need.

Please could pupils arrive in school uniform. They will be available to be collected from school at 3:00pm.

The Department for Education has launched a new coronavirus helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents/carers and pupils can contact the helpline by:

Phone: 0800 046 8687 Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

We understand that this latest news will have an impact on you and your family and it’s far from ideal, but we will continue to keep in touch with any updates as the situation develops. If you want to get in touch to share any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the contact details on our website.

I would like to thank all parents/carers for their understanding and support during this time

Yours sincerely

Mrs Nicky Zeronian-Dalley
Executive Headteacher