New September start date for pupils: FRIDAY 3^rd September

Dear Parents,

We were awarded funding in July to complete the upgrade of our heating system that was started last year. Overall, the project will cost in excess of ¾ million pounds and will ensure the building is comfortable and warm for the children at KPNS for many years to come.

Although we are delighted to be in a position to carry out these improvements, project preparation was delayed due to the Covid-19 situation meaning that timescales to complete the project over the summer were very tight. This is an extensive project with works being carried out in every room and area of school, causing significant disruption and upheaval – school staff have not been able to enter the building at all over the summer.

A number of factors, including a burst mains water pipe in school, now mean that the project will not be completed in time for school staff to prepare the building for 2/9/21, ready for the children's return as originally planned. The contractors have told us today that they will still be on site on 2/9/21.

As a result, school governors have taken the decision to delay the date that children return to school in September until Friday 3^rd September.

Delaying the start of term for children by 1 day will give staff time to ensure the school building and site are fully prepared and safe. We do acknowledge that this situation may cause parents some inconvenience, but given the extent of the planned works governors believe the delay is essential to ensure adequate preparation takes place prior to pupils returning.

We are currently working with Windmills Childcare to offer subsidised childcare for a limited number of children on 2/9/21 to support families who need childcare that day due to work commitments. We will share more information about this next week.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Regards,

Peter Cresswell

Click here to see pictures of the ongoing work in school