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Childline - 0800 1111
Manchester City Council -0161 234 5000
(Links to homeless advice, rent arrears, council tax etc)
Women's Aid - 0808 2000 247
Saheli - 0161 945 4187. Email: info@saheli.org.uk
Muslim Women’s Helpline - 0161 953 4075
Manchester Bangladeshi Women’s Organisation - 0161 257 3867 email: info@mwbo.org.uk
Shelter Manchester - 0344 515 1640
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Wednesday 15th July 2020
Dear Parents/Carers
You will be aware that Government guidance published 2nd July 2020 confirmed that from September all children and young people should return to school or college and that after the summer holidays attendance at school will be compulsory. We wanted to write to parents/carers to provide some further information about the arrangements for the safe return to school of all children in Manchester.
First of all, we would like to thank you all for all your hard work and efforts to home educate your children during this period. This has been no mean feat and one that we should all be proud of over the past few months. We know this has been a challenging and worrying time. However, we are sure that you all agree that it is now important we support the return of our children to school, to enable them to continue their learning in classrooms with their peers and teachers and also to provide them with the chance to see their friends again.
Our schools in Manchester are looking forward to welcoming back all of their pupils and are fully committed to ensuring that children return to their school in a well-managed and safe environment - with appropriate support in place where needed so that they don’t suffer the long-term effects of not being in school.
Like all schools in Manchester, your child’s school is now busy working through the Government's guidance, developing plans and preparing for all children to return. This includes developing a thorough risk assessment which outlines all of the steps that the school will be taking to reduce the risks of infection including what school staff will do if a child or adult develops symptoms of COVID19. As a result of the extra measures schools will be taking, your child’s school will be a bit different in September and will have some new rules and routines in place which will be shared with you. It is extremely important that you understand what these are and support them in whatever way you can. These may include for example staggered start and finish times, new arrangements for dropping off children, different rules for school visitors, additional hygiene practices and new lunchtime and break routines.
Although your child may not have attended school since March, the majority of our schools in Manchester have remained open during this time including during school holidays for specific groups of children and then since 1st June 2020 for year groups determined by the Government.
In order, to ensure that all staff fully understand the school’s risk assessment and have adequate time to properly put the arrangements in place, all of our schools have been allocated 2 additional staff training days on 1st and 2nd September 2020. Schools may therefore be closed to all pupils on these days.
Birchfields' pupils will be returning to school on Thursday 3rd September 2020. It is important to be aware that from the date your child's school welcomes all of its pupils back, it is expected and compulsory that they attend regularly. Your school will confirm with you what the specific arrangements are for your child’s class.
Birchfields' will provide an updated Home/School agreement on this website. If you have any questions or worries, please do contact the school so that they can talk it through with you.
There is also information available on the Government Website for parents/carers about what changes and measures to expect in schools in September: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early- years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
Finally we would wish your child every success in their forthcoming academic year and trust you will be reassured by the arrangements being put in place and that welfare and a safe learning environment remains a priority for us all.
With very best wishes
Paul Marshall Strategic Director of Children and Education Services
Amanda Corcoran Director of Education
Free School Meals during School Closure
Vouchers
How to apply for Free School Meals
If you think your children may now be eligible for Free School Meals, then you can check your eligibility here APPLY FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS
Families not eligible for free school meals but facing financial difficulties due to COVID-19 can apply for support from Manchester City Councils' Hardship Fund CLICK HERE
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