West Berkshire Council: An update on West Berkshire Schools and arrangements for the Easter holidays

An update on West Berkshire Schools and arrangements for the Easter holidays

During the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, schools and early years providers closed their doors on Friday 20 March as educational establishments. Some tremendous work has taken place to ensure vulnerable children and those of key workers are cared for during this uncertain time.

Headteachers and leaders have recognised that they have a crucial role to play. As the local authority, West Berkshire Council is co-ordinating this work with schools and early years providers.

Where possible, early years settings, including childminders, are open and caring for children. Excellent collaboration is taking place between these settings and vulnerable families to ensure children are sensibly placed so that parents who need to travel to their place of work can do so more easily. The Early Years team and Family Information Service (FIS) are helping parents and carers source alternative childcare if their current provision has to close.

Schools are open and caring for children, where possible. In many cases schools are collaborating together to share resources and to enable staff rotas that ensure teachers spend meaningful time away from school. Where needed, School Hubs have been created to ensure that as many children are cared for as possible. Hub centres are currently located at Thatcham Park School, Westwood Farm Schools, Basildon Primary School and Robert Sandilands Primary School. Some schools are accommodating children from independent schools and other neighbouring authorities. Headteachers and leaders have embraced this new, challenging role.

Schools will be open for the Easter holidays. The existing hub arrangements will continue during this period.

If parents need further assistance and more information about Easter holiday arrangements, please use the following contact details:

Schools: fis@westberks.gov.uk

Early Years: earlyyearsservice@westberks.gov.uk or Donna.Fox1@westberks.gov.uk