Newsletter | Potters Green School

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31^st March 2020

Dear Parents

Whilst we have been keeping the website update with government guidance and information to support home learning, I thought I would write to you to let you know how things are going.

The school has been opening for children of ‘key workers’ and ‘vulnerable children’ as specified in government guidelines. Our teachers, teaching assistants, office staff, cleaners, kitchen staff and leadership teams, have been working in reduced numbers on a rota basis to ensure that school opening is covered whilst we do our best to keep everybody safe. Families have been collecting packed lunches from school if they are entitled to free school meals.

As a strong community I feel sure you will be pulling together and supporting your families. Please do continue to stay home and take care of yourselves. I sincerely hope you are all well and coping during these difficult and challenging times.

I would like to inform you of two things:

Firstly, you will be aware that there is new guidance from the government regarding those entitled to Free School Meals. A new voucher scheme has been announced. We are still awaiting the final guidance on vouchers and how to distribute them for those entitled to FSM. Please monitor the website daily as we will keep you updated through this. Free school Meal vouchers do not apply to all those in key stage one receiving meals through the Universal FSM government scheme. If you are unsure, we do have a list of children entitled to FSM in school please contact if you need to check.

As you will be aware my role as Interim Headteacher was due to end at Easter. Please see the message below from the Chair of Governors.

Hello to all of you,

Firstly, I hope that you and your families are all well and continue to be so.

When it was announced that the schools were to be closed, Gillian Deery, our new Head teacher, contacted me. She was very concerned about the impact of this current situation on her present school and on Potters Green. Obviously, she would have no knowledge of our staff, families and children and the new Head at her school would be in the same position.

To help make this difficult time a little easier, I have therefore agreed that Gillian will move her start date at Potters Green to the 1^st June 2020 (after May half term). Debbie Newman has kindly agreed to stay on as Interim Headteacher in the meanwhile for which we are very grateful.

This decision will help two schools, their staff, their families and children.

These are unsettling times with unprecedented actions taking place. Hopefully, my actions as Chair of Governors will help in making a slightly smoother journey in the next few months when hopefully we will all be in a better position to know what is happening in the wider world.

Kind regards to all of you,

Sarah Murphy

Chair of Governors

I am happy to continue and do all I can to support Potters Green in the coming weeks and months.

Take care and stay safe.

Mrs D Newman