This update only applies to Students on the PD Pathway (Cars, Planes, Clent, Rowley and Abberley)
Dear Parents/Carers
COVID Closure for Personal Development (PD) Pathway
Today has been a real challenge with yet more symptomatic pupils presenting at school and more positive cases in the school community continuing to be reported. This is an ongoing issue that we are faced with, and I feel like we are fighting a battle that we cannot possibly win. We are on the precipice of a whole school closure, but we are doing everything within our power to prevent this from happening, especially as we are this close to the end of the academic year. We are hanging on by a thread!
I am in constant contact with Public Health Sandwell and community transition rates are extremely high at present and we are seeing this leach into the school. The sheer volume of symptomatic people, cases of people or their families having to isolate and confirmed positive cases is having a significant impact on the safe and effective operation of the school.
Please do not send your child into school if they are symptomatic. It has a profound impact on the safe running of the and puts us all at risk.
Due to contact tracing and a positive reported cases, we have been forced to make the decision to close down The Personal Development (PD) Pathway. All pupils in the following classes will need to isolate for 10 days up to and including Saturday 24 July 2021.
– Clent
– Abberley
– Rowley
If they develop symptoms in the meantime, please contact the school and we will advise you accordingly. We will be completing pastoral phone calls throughout the remainder of this week as a welfare check.
Please Note: Planes and Cars classes do not need to isolate for 10 days however they are unable to come to school as we no longer have the staff to safely teach them.
To date, this has been one of the most difficult decisions to make, particularly as these pupils will not return now until September 2021. I understand the impact this has on our young people and their families, however I will not compromise the safety of our young people and staff during these challenging times and in turn I appreciate your help, support, understanding and patience.
If your young person develops symptoms as detailed below and they are unwell, please inform the school either visa telephone or email and arrange a PCR test through https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
The growing range of symptoms are as follows:
• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature and/or
• a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
• headaches
• aches and pains
• feeling very tired for no good reason
• sore throat
• runny nose
• sneezing
• tummy ache/upset tummy in children.
If your child tests positive, please ring the school on 0121 561 6884 and let us know.
If you are eligible for Free-School Meals you will have received information from us about our voucher scheme and these will be coming out to you within the next 24 hours to spend at a local supermarket of your choice.
If you have any further concerns or questions, please contact the Senior Leadership Team on headteacher@westminster.sandwell.sch.uk.
Thank you for your continued help and support.
Yours faithfully
Mr O M Flowers
Head Teacher
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