School Closure

Published Wednesday 25 March 2020

We would like to thank you all for your patience at this difficult time.
The Chief Minister ordered the closure of most schools for most pupils on the Isle of Man from Monday 23rd March. At the moment, we do not know when schools will re-open. We know that parents/carers will seek to keep their children safe by keeping them at home and will follow the Government’s advice. We very much appreciate your support in this and know that, if we all work together, we have the best chance of reducing the spread of Covid-19.
The Government has asked parents to keep their children at home wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children are designated as ‘vulnerable’ or are the children of ‘key workers’.
It is important to understand that:
• If it is possible for children to stay at home then they should.
• Parents/carers should also do all they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way that could spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
• Many parents who are key workers may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely at home should be.
• 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.
• Parents can choose to keep children away from school without any concern of repercussion.
Secondary and primary schools with special need units attached have been asked to stay open with staff to look after our most vulnerable children and the children of key workers.
From Tuesday the 24th March, children from our school who are identified as vulnerable or whose parents are in the following groups should attend Ballacottier school. If attendance at this school presents a problem please let us know.