Further reduction of provision possible at Buxton Community School as coronavirus crisis deepens

The school opened at 9.50am today (Wednesday) for years 7, 11 and 13 - allowing extra time for cleaning and re-organisation of ‘increasingly limited staffing’.

Headteacher Craig Yates wrote in a message to parents yesterday how staffing capacity had ‘reduced significantly overnight and through today’.

He wrote: “This means that our ability to provide a safe, clean and valuable educational experience for everyone is becoming increasingly compromised.

“The indications are that it is likely to continue to become even more challenging over the next few days.

“The number of supply staff available to cover for absent colleagues is limited and will reduce further as more and more schools become affected in the same way.”

Staff shortages had come about as ‘a growing number’ of teachers had been forced to self-isolate due to preventative care guidelines, wrote Craig.

Craig added: “I am very grateful to you all for your support and to the staff who are continuing to do their very best to keep the school open and functioning.

“I will continue to monitor the situation and we will continue to do our very best for your children.

“I feel I must make you aware at this time that should the situation continue to deteriorate it may become necessary to reduce provision further although we will work as hard as possible to avoid this.”

Children who receive counselling at the school have been directed to the following resources:

Childline – 0800 1111 Samaritans – 116 123 Kooth - a secure online counselling service for young people CAMHs – Urgent Care Team 07901 330 724

Families currently working with Mrs Wray - the School’s Family Support Manager and in need of additional support should contact her using her school email address [email protected].

The headteacher wrote how anyone concerned for the welfare of a child while not at school should contact Derbyshire Social Care on 01629 533190 or the Police on 101.