Important Update - Year group closures: Years 7, 8 & 9

Dear Parent / Carer,

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the support and patience you have shown in recent months as we respond to the constantly changing circumstances. I recognise that the decisions we have had to take to manage the current situation, in light of the guidance received, may present challenges for you and your family. Unfortunately, while we do our very best to minimise these difficulties, it is inevitable that some of the choices we must make for the greater good of the school community will have wider implications for our students and families.

You will be aware of the increase in confirmed student cases in particular year groups.Over the last couple of days, this has continued to rise resulting in a large number of students in these year groups having to self-isolate over the next week, with a similar picture emerging in other local schools and colleges. Additionally, we have seen a sharp rise in the number of staff having to self-isolate.

Therefore, after careful consultation with the Trust, we have decided that all students in Year Groups 7, 8 and 9 should not attend school for the week commencing Monday 16^th November and will instead move to a remote curriculum during this time. On Monday 23^rd November, students in Years Groups 7, 8 and 9 can return to school as normal, as long as they have not developed any symptoms. As part of this process we remain in regular communication with Public Health England, Local Public Health and the Local Authority.Students in Year Groups 10 and 11 should come to school as normal on Monday 16^th November unless they have been advised to self-isolate, have developed symptoms or awaiting a test result.

Students in Years Groups 10 and 11 who have recently been contacted and asked to self-isolate should continue to do so until their isolation period ends, but all other students will not need to self-isolate during this week unless they develop symptoms themselves. However, we strongly urge all families to adhere to the increased level of national Covid restrictions in place in from 5^th November to Wednesday 2^nd December and avoid contact with people from outside their household wherever possible, in order to reduce transmission in the community.

Whilst at home, students in Years Groups 7, 8 and9 will be expected to access online learning; we intend to run a full timetable of remote ‘Teams’ lessons for these students.Further information about how to access remote learning will be shared in the next few days. If your child is eligible for Free School Meals, you will receive a separate communication explaining how this provision will continue during the week.

As you would expect, this decision has not been taken lightly, but it is a necessary step to ensure we are able to offer a high quality of curriculum provision whilst maintaining student and staff safety. We fully understand that an extended period away from school is far from ideal, but we kindly ask for your understanding and support. As you may appreciate, this is a busy time in school and so we must prioritise essential communication. In this respect, it will take us longer than normal to respond to non-urgent issues and I am grateful for your patience with this.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Yours faithfully,

Ms Gallagher - Interim Principal