LETTERS are going out by email to parents and carers of childen from schools across Thurrock.

Schools will close after tomorrow (Friday, 20 March) but will remain open to give care to vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

It is expected that key workers will be defined as the NHS, police force as officers, community support or civilian staff, fire and ambulance services, prison officers, armed forces, social care, care home workers, social workers, staff working in education, local authority planners,

environmental health officers, Highway Agency traffic officers or essential delivery services.

The messages are typified by this from Deborah Bradley, head at Horndon on the Hill Primary.

She says: "For the majority of pupils, school will finish on Friday, 20 March. We have already started to provide extensive online work and paper 'Home Learning Packs' for pupils to use at home.

"Our website will have an overview of the provision for your child. This includes a range of activities across the curriculum.

"We are ready to answer the challenge set yesterday to play our part in supporting the response to Covid-19 by the Government.

"We will provide emergency childcare for families where parents are keyworkers.

"We will also provide emergency childcare for the following pupils:

• Children with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP), as long as they do not have significant underlying health

issues

• Children who have a Social Worker

Emergency childcare will be provided weekdays starting on Monday 23rd March 2020. It will not involve normal teaching and is being offered to support during this national crisis. Staff will be aware of pupils' EHCPs but there may not be the usual support identified in their EHCP. All other pupils should heed government advice and stay at home."

Schools are calling on parents to let them know urgently if they have to keep their children in school so all the correct planning can be put in place.

Thurrock Nub News coronavirus guidance