WELCOME TO FELSTED

Please see the following message regarding Schools from Essex County Council

Dear Parents,
I am writing to give you further guidance on the way that schools across Essex will be operating over the coming weeks. These changes cover all registered childcare providers (including nurseries and childminders), maintained and academy primary schools, maintained and academy secondary schools; special schools, further education colleges and independent schools.
Firstly, I want to be clear that following the Government directive issued on Wednesday, as from the end of today (Friday 20th March) schools across Essex will be closed. This is to limit the chance of the virus spreading. The Government have indicated that by limiting the number of children who attend schools, settings and colleges, the spread of the virus will reduce and lower the risk to vulnerable individuals in our communities.
School, settings and colleges are being directed to continue to provide care for a limited number of children – children who are deemed vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response and cannot be cared for safely at home.
The Government have defined vulnerable children as children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

The list of critical workers can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Even with some limited support for parents of vulnerable children and critical workers, the advice from the Government is clear: if you can safely look after your children during this time of a national emergency, then you should do so.

Children with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
If your child has an EHCP they will be able to attend a school, college or setting. This is an offer and there is no requirement for you to send your child(ren) to school if you do not need to or wish not to do so, you must let your education provider know what you decide.
It is likely that there will be changes to the opening times for some schools in order to remain open in a safe way. Your school will provide you with details of what their plans are and what any changes will mean for you and your child(ren).

The Government are putting legislation in place to temporarily amend parts of the Children and Families Act 2014, including those relating to special educational provision and health care provision in EHCPs. It is highly unlikely that schools, settings and colleges will be able to provide the same provision that is in your child’s current plan but they will work with you around suitable arrangements for your child(ren). There will be delays in the timescales for requests for assessment and new EHCPs during this time.
The majority of children with SEND, who receive SEN Support at school but do not have an EHCP, are expected to stay at home, unless as a parent you are deemed a critical worker.

For children with health needs or underlying health conditions
Schools and colleges will work with parents to make a case by case assessment of the health and safeguarding considerations of children with an EHCP. For some, they will be safer in an education provision. For others, they will be safer at home. Schools and colleges will discuss this with you.

If you are a critical worker:
Children with at least one parent or carer identified as a critical worker by the Government can send their children to a school, college or setting if required. The list of critical workers is above.
Even though you may be deemed a critical worker, it is expected that if your child(ren) can stay at home, they should do so.
Schools, settings and colleges will not be able to provide an education offer to your child(ren) but will be able to provide facilities to enable you to go to work. All normal and usual education activity has been suspended during this emergency period.
If you are not a critical worker and your child(ren) is not classified as vulnerable:
We appreciate that this is a concerning time for all parents, but we are all being urged to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
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 directed schools to be open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

Education resources for children
Schools, colleges and settings will be providing a range of resources to support you at home with your child(ren).
Schools are working closely with the Local Authority and the Headteacher Associations in order to offer a consistent and safe response to the current crisis. The health and safety of your children is everyone’s first priority.

Thank you for your co-operation at this time.

Kind Regards,

Clare Kershaw
Director of Education
Sent of behalf of:
Essex County Council
The Association of Secondary Headteachers in Essex
Essex Primary Headteacher Association
Essex Special Schools Education Trust

Please note that, due to the Coronavirus situation, the Parish Council offices are closed until further notice. 

There will also be no further Council Meetings until further notice.

The telephone number below is diverting to our Clerk and Assistant Clerk, who are both working from home.

Clerk to the Council: Mrs Diane Smith
Assistant Clerk: Mrs Heather Read

Phone: 01371 823071
Email: ku.vog.cp-detslefobfsctd-56e1bc@krelc

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Information from Kemi Badenoch, MP for the Saffron Walden constituency regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

This is a worrying and challenging time for us all and the advice on Coronavirus is changing day by day because of the fast-moving environment. I understand it is difficult to know what advice to follow when there is so much information out there.

Furthermore, I am receiving messages from constituents who are offering to help and others who want to know how they can help. It is good to see the community coming together in a desire to support one another, especially the elderly and vulnerable.

For both these reasons, I have put together a page on my website that includes the links to the most up to date information from all the various bodies I am in touch with.  These include the Government, local authorities such as Essex County Council, Uttlesford District Council and Chelmsford City Council, as well as information from local organisations and charities across the constituency. Please follow this link to access it: www.kemibadenoch.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-and-guidance

For constituents who do not have access to the internet, as advised by Public Health England, if you think you have might have coronavirus don’t go to your doctor’s surgery or hospital. If you need to speak to someone, call 111 and they will make arrangements directly for testing and treatment or 999 if you require urgent medical treatment. Carers are also advised to call 111 or doctor surgeries for specific advice.

The Government will be holding daily televised briefings on Coronavirus and I would encourage constituents to tune in for the most up to date information and advice.

If you do have any individual concerns, please do contact me via email at ku.tnemailrapobfsctd-741799@pm.hconedab.imek or call my office on 0207 219 1934 and we will endeavour to sign post you to the relevant organisation for information.

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