IMPORTANT COVID MESSAGE - Arrangements for after 19th July

Dear Parents and Carers

Arrangements for the last week of term (19th - 23rd July)

Last week the government issued schools with new guidance around COVID measures from 19th July. In other parts of the country the 19th July coincides with the end of the school year, but not for many schools including all Hull schools.

Last week, our CEO met with other Hull school leaders and they agreed that Hull schools would stay with their current risk assessments as they are until the end of the school term. This means that in Hull all ‘bubbles’ will remain in place during the last week of term, as will all other measures currently in our risk assessments. This will include wearing masks on school property. Outside of their classroom or office, all staff have to wear a mask, even if they are popping down a corridor to another room. Anyone else entering the school premises MUST wear a mask unless they can show an exemption certificate.

The decision not to end ‘bubbles’ before the end of term was taken so that pupils and staff can enjoy the highest level of protection from infection in school which will best support their attendance and learning.

Of course we cannot say that a bubble would not need to be sent home during the last week if there is a confirmed case of COVID in the bubble, but we sincerely hope that this will not be necessary.

We have heard that a nearby village school in the East Riding has had to close totally due to an outbreak of COVID cases with multiple pupils. We do not want this to happen at Stepney and thereby potentially spoil parents and staff's arrangements for the start of the summer holidays.