Richard Huish College classes have been suspended from today (Wednesday) until further notice.
The announcement regarding the coronavirus was made by the college after assessing the volume and impact of staff absence.
Richard Huish College principal, John Abbott, said:
“Having assessed the volume and impact of staff absence, as a result of protecting vulnerable members of our community and those with underlying health conditions, we have concluded that we find ourselves in a position where we do not have sufficient key staff to manage the site and students safely.
We will therefore be suspending all classes from tomorrow morning until further notice.
Students will not be required to attend the College and their absence will be recorded as authorised.”
John Abbott added:
“I need to be clear that at this time the College is not closing. Whilst formal classes are suspended, students will still be able to attend and study on site should they wish.
Our Learning Centre, which will be staffed by colleagues who are well placed to provide support, will continue to be open from 9:00am until 4:40pm until the point we are directed to do otherwise.
Students who do wish to study on site will need to sign in at reception.”
Heathfield Community School has said it cannot open to all students tomorrow and will open to Years 10 and 11 only.
Peter Hoare, headteacher of Heathfield Community School, said:
“As you will appreciate, the situation with COVID-19 and the Government’s most recent guidance meant that both student and staff absence was higher today that it might otherwise have been.
I am already aware that it will be difficult to guarantee that we can cover all the classes tomorrow with the requisite level of both teaching and support staff.
Due to this situation supply staff are already in short supply.
As you are aware, schools have been informed that we should stay open unless directed to close by Public Health England. However, being open is contingent on the school having enough staff to run efficiently and safely.
As a result, and in consultation with senior colleagues and the Chair of Governors, I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we cannot open to all students tomorrow.
Heathfield will be open to Years 10 and 11 only – lessons will not run for Years 7, 8 and 9 (KS3).
The decision not to run lessons for KS3 has been taken in order to prioritise the consistency of teaching for students in Years 10 and 11 as these students are closest to their examinations.”
Due to the length of required absence by staff it is unlikely that this situation will improve before Monday 23 March. We will communicate an update by Friday 20 March at 17.00 hours.”
Heathfield Community School will be running a free school meal takeaway service for those eligible for free school meals.
Peter Hoare added:
“If your child is eligible for free school meals, we will be running a free school meal take-away service which will mean a free meal will be available for collection from the school canteen between 12 noon and 12.30 pm for all eligible KS3 students.
This is to support our community as best we can in this challenging time.
Years 10 and 11 will have a normal canteen service.”
The Taunton Academy will open to students in Years 10 and 11 tomorrow and Friday.
The Taunton Academy said:
“Unfortunately, our current staffing levels remain insufficient to be able to accommodate more than two year groups.
As a result, as the situation stands, we plan only to be open to students in Years 10 and 11 tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday.”
However, if your child is eligible for free school meals, we will be continuing to run a free school meal take-away service, which will mean a free meal will be available for collection from the school canteen between 12 noon and 12.30pm for all eligible students in Years 7 to 9.
This is to support our community as best we can at this challenging time.
Years 10 and 11 will have a normal canteen service.”