IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

As a country, we all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

That is why the government has given clear guidance on self-isolation, household isolation and social distancing.

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

That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

It is important to underline that schools, colleges and other educational establishments remain safe places for children. But the fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society.

Schools are, therefore, being asked to continue to provide care for a limited number of children – children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be safely cared for at home.

If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed in the publication below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

This is the guidance provided for parents 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

If you believe you fall into one of the above categories and you cannot keep your child safely at home then email accesstoschool@bedford.wigan.sch.uk by 12 noon today please. In your email please include the name and year group of your child and evidence of the job title and employer of the/each parent who is a ’key worker’. If only one of two parents/carers is a ‘key worker’ then where possible Exceptional Access should not be requested.     

Children with an Education Health Care Plan

If your child has an Education Health Care Plan and you would like him/her to continue to attend school, please contact us at

accesstoschool@bedford.wigan.sch.uk by 12pm on Friday 20th March. In your email please include the name and year group of your child.

Once we have considered requests for Exceptional Access to School, we will be able to plan provision and contact those parents with further details.