County council leaders thank schools, colleges and nurseries for staying open

Leaders of West Sussex County Council have thanked schools, colleges and nurseries for staying open to children of key worker parents or those classed as vulnerable.
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A letter from council leader Paul Marshall and chief executive Becky Shaw was sent to head teachers and early years providers.

In it, they said: “The work you are doing is protecting our most vulnerable children and supporting those parents who are on the frontline of this crisis. Without you we, as a county, simply could not respond to this crisis and keep people safe.”

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According to the council, there are 336 schools, academies and colleges in West Sussex, of those 283 are run by the council. They said the ‘vast majority’ had remained open during the crisis. A spokesman said: “We have been working closely with every West Sussex school and, in line with the Government’s current coronavirus guidance, we have asked schools to remain open only for children with a key worker parent or those regarded as vulnerable.

“Despite a hugely difficult and rapidly changing situation, nearly every school and college in West Sussex currently is supporting these children. This is protecting the most vulnerable children and allowing those parents who are crucial to the Coronavirus response to continue working.

“We are extremely grateful for the cooperation from head teachers and governors and for the huge amount of hard work and dedication of all school and nursery staff at this unprecedented time.”

They added: “We are communicating with all schools daily and sharing the latest Public Health England advice on keeping pupils and staff safe, including cleanliness and social distancing. We have produced guidance for head teachers on safeguarding their most vulnerable children.”