Latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) UPDATE: 19.03.2020
Published 19.03.2020
We appreciate that understandably, you will all be hugely concerned following the announcement from the Prime Minister on 18 March 2020, that all schools are to be closed until further notice.
Schools, colleges and nurseries will close to help slow the spread of the virus, which will help save lives and protect the most vulnerable. Schools have a responsibility to put provision in place for pupils of key workers (including NHS staff, teachers, police, social care, supermarket workers and delivery drivers) as well as vulnerable children, including pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
We are in contact with all our partner schools and wherever possible, will continue to provide our supply teachers and assistants to those schools which will remain fully open, or those which must provide some form of provision.
Please be assured that the team at First Class Supply are trying to find answers to your questions and, as in our previous emails, we will aim to keep you updated as soon as we have any further information.
We understand you will be seriously concerned about your financial circumstances during the school closures. As advised by the Prime Minister, if you need financial support, you are entitled to make a claim for Universal Credit. The process can be started at www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-universal-credit.
If you have Coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating, you will need to complete a self-certification form for the first 7 days. Follow this link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-sick-pay-employees-statement-of-sickness-sc2, then send the completed form to accounts@firstclasssupply.co.uk. We will then let you know if you are eligible for SSP, if you are not eligible, we will send you the necessary form to enable you to claim government assistance instead.
First Class Supply share your concerns equally, and the team are all working on your behalf. We will forward further information as soon as we have more news and of course, are available as always on 0191 251 5566.
For up-to-date information as it is announced, please follow the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public