Created: 13 May 2020

Northamptonshire Special School Heads Group

We know you’ve seen in the news that schools may reopen on 1st June to reception, year 1 and year 6 pupils if the government thinks it’s safe then. However the guidance states that:

“Special schools, special post-16 institutions and hospital schools will work towards a phased return of more children and young people without a focus on specific year groups.”

Click to Read Announcement

Northamptonshire Special School Headteachers and the LA are working together, using the latest advice and guidance, to plan how to safely increase numbers in our schools from the 1st June. All schools are working hard to create a plan for their phased reopening. Consideration will be given to how to implement social distancing measures, which is likely to include changes to the environment and reduced class sizes, and therefore children may return on a reduced timetable (the government do not expect the majority of children to be in full-time before the end of the summer term). Consideration will also be given to how to support your child back into school, and the most appropriate curriculum to deliver when back at school, this will include preparation for transition to their next stage.

In the meantime, Special Schools are still open only for vulnerable pupils and the children of critical workers. We know some employers will be encouraging you to return to work, but we’re not in a position right now to extend places to other children until we receive further government guidance.

We’d like to thank you for your continuous support in helping your child learn from home. We’ll need to keep going with this for a while yet, so please do continue to do what you can.