Coronavirus: Lewes school announces it is to partially close after ‘reaching critical point’

Priory School in Lewes is to partially close from tomorrow (Thursday, March 19).
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

In a statement on the secondary school’s website, it says the school has reached a ‘critical point’ due to the coronavirus and that it does not have enough staff to open fully.

It reads: “We are genuinely grateful for the overwhelming support to the school during this particularly difficult time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Yesterday the government announced that anyone who is experiencing symptoms of a new continuous cough or a high temperature should stay at home for 14 days.

“Anyone who lives in the same household should also self-isolate.

“Families who are self-isolating have been requested to stay indoors as much as physically possible and to order essential supplies on-line to be delivered, or ask a non-isolating family member or friend to leave the supplies at the front door.

“We would request that all parents follow this advice and do not send a student to school if they have COVID-19 type symptoms.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We have given the same advice to staff members which has therefore had an impact on our capacity to deliver the normal service.

Lewes Priory school is to partially close from tomorrow (Thursday, March 18)Lewes Priory school is to partially close from tomorrow (Thursday, March 18)
Lewes Priory school is to partially close from tomorrow (Thursday, March 18)

“As of yesterday, the government also updated their list of vulnerable groups who have been advised to work from home.

“Priory School is now at a critical point in that we do not have enough staff to ensure quality of service for a full school.

“As a result, we have taken the decision that from Thursday, March 19, we will need to close the school to Years 7, 8 and 9.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We expect Years 10 and 11 to continue to attend school and we will do our best to deliver the normal timetable.

”Years 7, 8 and 9 will need to work from home. Staff will start to set work on EduLink as outlined in the attached ‘Protocol for the continuity of teaching and learning in the event of emergency closure’

”Years 10 and 11 should attend school if able to do so. As yet we have had no advice about public examinations and Ofqual have informed schools to continue to prepare students for the summer examinations.

“It is, therefore, essential that our students do all they can to ensure they revise and prepare for examinations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We will review the situation day by day. Suffice to say all school extra-curricular clubs and activities (including parents evenings) have been cancelled this side of the Easter holiday.

“We appreciate your patience as this is a very unusual situation and we are all working hard to ensure some semblance of normality and to keep our communication.”

Related topics: