Message from the Headteacher

I write to you in a time of uncertainty and concern around the educational landscape and the wider communities. Times such as these demand the need for community and support for one another in whatever capacity that may be. I am sure we can all agree that we have never experienced the magnitude of what is happening in any of our lifetimes and we see challenging times ahead. Our Chertsey High School family is strong and always has been which is why the staff at Chertsey are so very proud to work there. The staff have been working tirelessly to not only support their families but to also support the students, providing work and email support to the young people.
Family at this time is the most important thing and I urge you to look after yourselves and those around you- community is stronger together. The education of the students will be caught up and anything missed will be covered in the months ahead so please do not worry. Life has taken a pause for the time being but we must continue to support the key workers and the people around us.
The Government has announced this morning that parents are asked to keep their children at home wherever possible.
Schools have been asked to try and remain open from Monday 23rd March to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response if they cannot be safely cared for at home. If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
It is stressed that schools, colleges and other educational establishments remain safe places for children but the fewer children making the journey to school, and the fewer children in educational settings, the lower the risk that the virus can spread and infect vulnerable individuals in wider society.
Please follow the link below for more details.
Can I please stress that in the efforts to reduce social interactions to limit the spread of the disease, this service is to be used to allow critical workers who cannot safely care for their children at home to continue to go to work. If our school is unable to provide care at any point because it is unsafe to do so we will work with neighbouring providers and the local authority to find an alternative setting for your child.
The Government are currently working on a national voucher scheme to support parents of children who are eligible for free school meals. In the meantime, we are looking for an interim solution to support these families.
It has been an extremely turbulent and emotional time and I would like to thank everyone for their messages of support and encouragement during this period.
Yours sincerely
Zelia Munnik