St Wilfrid's RC Primary School

  1. Our School
  2. School Partial Closure

School Partial Closure - 20.03.20

Dear Parents,

Important information regarding pupil attendance – from Monday 23 March 2020

Firstly, thank you for the very supportive approach that you have taken during these exceptionally challenging times.  Whilst we are formally closed from Monday 23 March onwards, we will continue to support your child, both academically and pastorally and our school remains at the heart of our community. 

Special opening from Tuesday 24 March.

The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can safely stay at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.

The government have asked us to remain open only for children of critical workers and vulnerable children where we can.

Key workers

At midnight, the government published a list of those parents/carers who are entitled to consider sending their child to school.  The link below provides specific details.

Click on link to access key workers list from the Government

The list includes the following; health and social care, education and childcare, key public services, local and national government, food and other necessary goods, public safety and security, transport, utilities, communication and financial services.

We are grateful to all of these key workers who are looking after us all.  In return, our staff team are also going to offer a reduced provision for your child.  It is critical to note, however, that this provision should only be taken up if there are no other alternatives.

If you think that your job is classified as a key worker, you have no other alternatives and you wish to take up this provision, please contact the school office. You may be asked to provide us with some evidence.

If we are able to offer your child a place in the reduced provision we will contact you directly on Monday for your child to attend from Tuesday 24th March

Specialist Support Provision

Those children with safeguarding and welfare needs, ‘looked after’ children, young carers and those with Education Health and Care Plans are also able to attend school if they wish. This is an offer to parents and there is no requirement for parents/carers to send their children to school if they do not wish to. 

Free School Meals

If your child is entitled to free school meals, our school will provide the contribution towards a lunchtime meal of £1.75 per day (£8.75 per week) for each child or young person in the household.

The Council will be able to pay this money within a few days by the following methods

  • A bank transfer into a nominated bank account
  • A secure text message that can be used to access cash from a range of Paypoint outlets in the city
  • A voucher that can be printed and can then be exchanged for cash from a range of Paypoint outlets in the city.

From 23 March, the Council has also set up a scheme to help with food costs for families who are facing additional financial challenges due to the Covid 19 virus.

To qualify your family must be Manchester residents or supported by the Homelessness Service. The criteria is:

  • Children and young people who meet the criteria for free school meals (where the school have not got other arrangements in place);
  • Children and young people who are classed as an asylum seeker; and 
  • Children and young people whose family has been hardest hit by the recent issues and may be waiting for benefits to be assessed or have a gap in their income due to being laid off etc.

To make an application please submit a request via the Council’s Welfare Provision Scheme

Council’s Welfare Provision Scheme - Click to access

St Wilfrid’s will be closed to all pupils on Monday 23 March and to the majority of students from Tuesday 24 March.

Keeping you all in our prayers.

Regards, Mr Moloney

Click to download a copy of this document.