Edsential takes its responsibilities for the health and safety of its staff and our schools very seriously. We are closely monitoring current developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and would like to reassure all of our schools and its parents that we are managing this outbreak so far as we are able, in line with all current advice and guidance.
Our catering staff are still in schools ensuring our vulnerable and key workers’ children are fed. We too are experiencing staff shortages, but like you, we are throwing everything we can, and any staff we have, at getting your school through to the other side. We will not let you down.
We believe schools are being asked to remain open during the Easter break. We have already had a huge response from our staff offering to volunteer. To help us ensure our staffing levels, we require just an estimate from schools of how many children you expect will be in school each day and also the number of FSM children who take up the option of a packed lunch. We appreciate that this is difficult and things will change, but anything would help. Email communications@edsential.co.uk to let us know and we’ll ensure you’re looked after.
We have also been contacted by a number of schools with other catering providers to see if we can support in feeding vulnerable and key workers’ children at this time, or even just offer our advice. If you too need support in this area, please do not hesitate to contact us on hello@edsential.co.uk or call 0151 541 2170 and we will do our utmost to help. We’re all in this together.
In the case of cleaning staff shortages in your schools or any required additional deep clean services, we are redeploying Edsential staff from elsewhere in the business to support you.
Should you have a booking with us in the coming weeks please call us and we will discuss whether your visit will be able to go ahead or not. If you do need to cancel we will discuss your options around claiming through your insurance, or if no insurance is held what we can do to re-schedule your visit.
We will be returning all EVOLVE forms for visits that take place between now and 30th April 2020. There has been no time frame set as of yet so we will keep you updated for visits beyond this period. Please contact your trip provider for further information.
As a provider of curriculum support to schools and pupils, we are following the advice of the DfE to cease all face-to-face activity until further notice.
Music plays an important role in keeping everyone’s spirits up at difficult times and Edsential’s musicians are continuing to bring joyful music to children and young people. We are able to offer many teaching and learning opportunities online. Schools, parents and carers can contact us at music@edsential.co.uk to get started.
Following requests from schools, we have also set up the #EdsentialAtHome daily challenge. We hope it will encourage schools, parents and pupils to get active and share any activities they are doing in school or at home. We will be posting videos of activities every day, so children and young people can see some familiar Edsential faces. Follow @edsentialUKH_WB on Twitter and Edsential on Facebook. We can’t wait to see your videos!
We are developing other at-home learning experiences for our children and young people that we hope to get online very soon. We will continue to keep you updated.
We have taken the difficult decision to cancel all CPD and Training sessions until September. Where possible, we will automatically transfer your booking onto the next available date. You will be contacted personally with further details regarding your booking in due course.
In these ever-changing times we want to provide reassurance that our clerking service will continue to provide advice and guidance to your Governing board.
You can contact us via your clerk as usual or Nicky Bebbington on 0151 541 2170 extension 2002.
In addition to our stringent and increased hygiene and distancing measures for our catering and cleaning staff still in schools, our office-based staff are now working from home.
We are still at the end of the telephone should you need us: 0151 541 2170