Dear Parents/Carers,

 

First of all, thank you from us for your ongoing support with ensuring that your child receives the best possible education during such challenging times.

Despite serious challenges, our first half-term was very successful and I would like to thank all of our staff for their commitment over this period.  I know that our students have really appreciated their dedication and support. 

We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday.  Please see below for some brief, but important updates:

Face masks

It is now part of government guidance that all students of secondary school age (unless exempt) wear masks in communal areas of schools.  This includes at times such as:

• Moving between lessons/waiting to enter a lesson
• Moving around the school site (e.g. walking down a corridor to visit the toilet)
• When queuing for break and lunch

We also expect all students (unless exempt) to follow staff instructions to wear face masks appropriately when necessary.  This is particularly important to ensure that staff are safe and secure in the workplace. 

All students (unless exempt) should put their face mask on before dismissal at the end of every lesson where they leave the classroom or exit for a break.

Please make sure that, as with before half term, your child has a face mask on their person at all times when in school.

To and From School

Of course, in school, we will be continuing to keep year groups separate as far as possible, including when entering and exiting school site.  Given the new, tighter restrictions, it is important that children are particularly mindful of not congregating in groups on their way to or from school, particularly with students from different year groups.  Please remind your child/children of the importance of vacating the local area quickly and sensibly at the end of the school day, as well as of the need to wear face masks when using public transport (unless exempt).

Lockdown

We all very much hope that current lockdown measures drive the rate of Covid infection down.  If transmission drops in wider society, this should also reduce the incidences of the virus entering the school community.

However, we are also very aware that this may be a difficult time for many families in a range of ways.  If you are facing difficulties that you feel are impacting on your child/children, whatever their nature, please contact your child’s Year Team and we will endeavour to provide the best pastoral support that we can and liaise with other supportive agencies where appropriate. 

Exams for y11 and y13 students in 2021

As yet, there has been no change to government guidance regarding next summer’s examinations in light of new Covid measures.  As stands, the start of the summer exams has been delayed for 3 weeks, there have been some changes to content in certain subjects and we await further confirmation from the government about any summer exam contingency plans.  Mock exams for Year 11 will take place starting 30th November as per the school calendar.  Of course, if messaging changes here we will update you immediately.

Government guidance

The government have made it clear secondary schools must stay open and there are no plans to implement a rota system.  We will continue to implement and review our protective measures to keep everyone safe and minimise risk.  Please see the following link for the most recent guidance:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-and-childcare-settings-new-national-restrictions-from-5-november-2020

With thanks for your ongoing support,

Mr P Naudi

Headteacher