Sandal Castle VA Community Primary School

3.6.2020 CONFIRMATION OF DELAY TO SCHOOL RE OPENING We will continue to determine our pace of phased school re opening based upon evidence from scientists, medical professionals and statistical data including SAGE. To date, the reports and broadcasts of Professor Peter Hornby (Professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Global Health at the University of Oxford and Chair of the UK government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group), John Edmunds (LSHTM) and Jeremy Farrar (Biomedical research) conclude that relaxation is too soon due to test, trace, isolate not being fully operational, the R rate still being very high, 8000 current infections a day and there is little to confirm the role of children and schools in transmission, levels of cases in the UK are still high (324 deaths on 28.5.2020), contact tracing is not up and running tracking new cases and following them up within 48 hours which potentially, should a wider reopening take place too soon could lead to a further lock down. Therefore, we will continue to take a safe, measured approach to opening our doors wider based upon all of the above which we believe is our best chance in ensuring the safety, health and well- being of children, families, staff, families and community. School will therefore NOT open to wider year groups before the 15th June. Thank you as always for your support Nichola Russell Headteacher