Dear Parents and Carers,

As you know, the school has been open for the children of keyworkers and for otherwise vulnerable pupils since the start of the UK’s lockdown. After listening to the government statement last weekend, many of you will have been following the latest information emerging nationally with regard to the potential wider re-opening of schools from Monday 1 June to F2, Y1 and Y6. This is envisaged as being in addition to existing eligible pupils, subject to appropriate Covid-19 conditions being met. In this respect, government guidance states that such wider re-opening to year groups should prioritise F2 pupils in the first instance. A final decision from DfE as to whether it is safe to re-open schools more widely from 1 June on this basis is expected next week (alongside a decision as to school opening over the coming Spring Bank half-term holiday to eligible pupils), but in the meantime the school has been working urgently to plan next steps in liaison with our sister setting, Lydgate Junior School, other local schools, LearnSheffield and Sheffield City Council.

Please be assured that the starting point for all planning and consideration over re-opening of Lydgate Infant School has been and will be the health and safety of its young pupils and staff. As such, both the structure and timescales of any re-opening will reflect this over-riding health and safety imperative. The school will be in a position to provide more information in this regard to you next week, but please note that it is likely that any potential re-opening will be carefully staged and will be focused upon the school’s youngest pupils (ie. F2) in the first instance.

The school would like to thank you for your understanding and patience during this unprecedented time, and to again assure you that it is trying its level best to support both yourselves and the local community whilst ensuring the health and safety of your children and its staff.

Best wishes to you all, and many thanks for your continuing support.