Coopersale & Theydon Garnon C.E. (V.C) Primary School

Dear Families,
Although we don’t usually inform families of staff absences, I feel it is important to share with you that I am not physically in school this week due to testing positive for Covid-19 with symptoms. Although Headteachers do get sick at times, what makes this week unusual and worth communicating to you, is that our Deputy Headteacher (Mrs Atwal) is also absent, currently attending the Year 6 residential camp. Although returning to the school site on Thursday, Mrs Atwal will not be on site for this Friday due to an off-site commitment that should not be cancelled.
Although absent, I remain available to the staffing team at all times across this week. I am also available, as planned to our Residential staff 24/7 as their emergency contact. In addition to my availability to our staff via phone/email, we have a brilliant group of school middle leaders and a member of the ‘safeguarding team’ available across the school day to liaise with myself and Mrs Atwal, if required. All of our middle leaders have had experience at leading the school previously, as part of our contingency planning if/when school leaders are absent.
In addition to all of the above protocols in place, I have arranged for a local headteacher from within our Partnership to be available on the school site if an emergency arises that requires a Headteacher to be physically on site. The local authority also has a designated Schools Effectiveness Partner assigned to our school to support in times of emergencies.
I am confident I will be back on site for next Monday, but if you were needing me before then, please contact the school front office who will pass any message my way.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter. I hope this explains any visible absence of school leaders that you may have noticed this week. Rest assured, the school is in good hands in my physical absence – we have trained for moments like these.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Bateman
Headteacher