Good afternoon parents,

Yesterday, Director of Children's Services in Liverpool, Steve Reddy updated Headteachers and Governors on Liverpool LA's position on the wider re-opening of schools.  Initially, as previously posted, the plan had been for Y6 children to be invited back from this coming Monday 15th June.  It was made clear that this was subject to change, depending on the local and national picture with regard to Coronavirus.

Unfortunately, due to continued regional concerns about the virus levels, the LA have updated their guidance and advised that it is not considered appropriate for primary schools to open to Y6 on 15th June.

In his letter to schools, Steve Reddy said:

"Doing the right thing in the right way at the right time is critical. Following recent information about the virus and advice from local Public Health colleagues we are advising against any wider openings to children in Year 6 on 15 June.

Schools are encouraged to continue to follow the guidance issued by the local authority and in carrying out risk assessments.  The date at which schools can open to wider cohorts of children will vary from school to school. It is dependent on a number of variables including advice from local Public Health colleagues, availability of teaching staff, cleaning staff, classroom capacity, entrances and exits and PPE.

Schools will continue to be supported by the local authority and School Improvement Liverpool services, continuing to work together and doing our best to meet the needs of as many children as possible."

This revised guidance was discussed at length in an online governors meeting this morning and it was agreed that Norman Pannell will follow the advice from the Local Authority on this.  We remain planned and ready to open to Year 6 children, and other selected year groups as advised by the Local Authority, as and when it is deemed safe to do so.

We appreciate that this may be a disappointment to children and parents who have been looking forward to returning to school, and would like to assure you that we are itching to get our school back to a sense of normality as soon as we can; however, the health, safety and welfare of our pupils, family and staff remains our number one priority. 

We will further update you as soon as we have any new information to give.  In the meantime, if you have any questions, opinions or concerns, please do not hesitate to e-mail me, Rob Simpson (HT) at norman-ht@normanpannell.liverpool.sch.uk