CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 25/3/20 9:15am

Today marks the first day since July 2015 where PEAK have not had an educator in any of our partner schools.

This morning we sent the following letter to our headteachers.

Dear headteacher

We have, like everybody else, have had an anxious and worrying few days. We still await government guidance and advice on many of the instructions they have provided to us.

Yesterday DCMS and DfE made the following statement:

Our advice to third parties working with schools is the following:

Given that it is vital to minimise travel and maintain social distancing, schools should only have staff from external organisations on site where it is absolutely essential to enable them to stay open for children of critical workers and vulnerable children and to ensure those children are safe. Before going to a school you should check with them whether or not your presence is essential. Schools should not be asking you to attend if it is not essential.

Following this and in conjunction with our HR organisation we have made the decision that we will not be sending educators into schools to protect their health and the health of your team and your children. This applies to all schools for whom we deliver PE lessons and PECS CPD.

Some schools have made requests as to whether we can assist them with holiday provision over Easter. We will maintain dialogue with these schools and make a decision on whether we can help in due course.

In schools which host an apprentice, the risk is minimised as the apprentice only works in one school. We know that virtually all of our apprentice host schools have incorporated their apprentice into their staffing rota, which makes their role essential. Apprentices who work in one school only will continue to work alongside your staff to care for children in your school.

At this point in time I do not have sufficient guidance from the government as to how long this position will be maintained. I hope to receive more clarity from them in the imminent future. As soon as I do I will update you all.

I hope that you understand our position as we wish to ensure that our staff remain well and safe.

I sincerely hope you and your team are all well and coping with the current situation.

My thoughts are with you all.

Kind regards

David Johnson

CEO

Whereas this is a very sad day for us, we value our team and wish to protect their health and the health of their families.

We are extremely fortunate to be part of the Aspire Active Partnership and we have been liaising with all companies in this partnership. We have certainly valued being part of this family of companies, especially in such difficult times.

We still await clarity and guidance from the Government relating to a great many things, but we are committed to protecting our team both physically and financially.

Stay safe everybody and be well.