PARENTS and carers of children at a Derby special school have praised staff for going above and beyond by offering a range of outreach support services after the coronavirus outbreak was declared pandemic.
Those working at St Giles School, the city’s only special primary school, have also given parents and carers their work mobile phone numbers, so that they can contact them during this difficult time and so that parents don’t feel shut off.
Because of the needs of its pupils – some are tube fed or rely on an oxygen tank and some have life-limiting illnesses – St Giles is currently offering an alternative provision for vulnerable children and families.
In a statement on the school’s Facebook page, executive head teacher, Clive Lawrence, said: “All staff have been working around the clock over the last few days to create learning packs for our pupils. These were either sent home or were delivered door-to-door by members of staff.
“In addition, those staff not self-isolating have been working hard behind the scenes to do a supermarket and medication run to help children and their families as best as possible.
“Some of our families have been unable to find essentials or, for other reasons, haven’t been able to access a supermarket at this time.”
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Natasha Hughes, whose daughter attends the school, said: “Best school in the world thank you for delivering a work pack for my daughter.”
“I honestly do know what I would have done without the care package, said mum Tasha Allen
Laura Hitchmough added: “Amazing staff. I feel better knowing that my little soldier won’t have to go without.”
In his statement, Mr Lawrence went on to thank the parents and carers for being so supportive in his social media post and reassured them that he is working with key SEND steering groups who are seeking clarity from government ministers on the current situation.
He said: “I have been absolutely taken aback by the love and support from parents, carers and the St Giles community.
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“The Government are requiring children of ‘key workers’ – such as NHS staff and delivery drivers – to attend school as normal, as their parents need to work to provide essential services to the country during this difficult time.
“There is a lack of clarity for special schools, particularly as every child has an EHCP.
“Our parents, carers, staff and wider community know too well that our staff are highly specialised, so it’s not as simple as drafting in an army of staff from elsewhere; our class groupings are carefully constructed according to pupils’ individual needs, so it’s not as simple as putting random groups of pupils together or sending them to another school.
“Our families live across Derby city and Derbyshire, so it’s not as straightforward when getting them to and from school each day.”
Many parents and carers are already self-isolating their children and took the decision to do so early on.
Mr Lawrence says that they school will continue to respect that decision.
“Many of our staff have needed to self-isolate, too, and as well as having a duty of care for our pupils, we also have to take care of staff,” he said.
“Naturally this dilemma has proved really challenging for our school community. Leaders and staff are committed to doing what works best for families at St Giles and will continue to be creative about how best to keep our door ‘open’.”
The school have had to re-think how best to operate so that as many families as possible feel supported.
Those measures put into place so far include setting up a dedicated mobile number for the school’s NHS nurse and a link-up to translators so that they can support families where English isn’t their first language and providing ongoing learning resource packs.
Sunshine Support, a Derby-based independent charity, who provide independent information, advice and support to parents, carers and professionals of children and young people with special educational needs, praised the school for their dedication.
“Amazing support and dedication by St Giles School once again. The school’s heart bursts with care,” posted founder Chrissa Wadlow.
