20th November 2020
Dear Parent / Carer,
Firstly, I would like to thank you for the support and patience you have shown during this past week with the remote learning programmes, including the live lessons. A large number of students have taken the opportunity to dial in and take part in the live lessons. It has been a pleasure to observe how our students, and the teachers, have adapted so quickly to a new way of teaching and learning.
Unfortunately, we remain in the position where there are a large number of students and staff who have not completed their relevant isolation period and a number of student cases have still been being reported to us during the course of this week.We will continue to review both our risk assessments and operational protocols on a regular basis (with support from Health and Safety professionals and the Local Authority) to assist in the provision a safe environment for the school community.Therefore, we have decided that all students in Year Groups 10 - 11 and Year 8 H-Band should not attend school for the week commencing Monday 23rd November and will instead move to a remote curriculum during this time. To avoid any confusion all Year 8 parents will receive a phone call or a school text to confirm the arrangements for their child. On Monday 30th November, students in Year Groups 10 - 11 and Year 8 H-Band, can return to school as normal, as long as they have not developed any symptoms.
Students in Year Groups 7, 8 W-Band and 9 should come to school as normal on Monday 23rd November – Thursday 26th November (school is closed for ALL students on Friday 27th November due to an INSET day) unless they have been advised to self-isolate, have developed symptoms or awaiting a test result.
Whilst at home, students in Years Groups 10 – 11 and Year 8 H Band will be expected to access online learning; we intend to continue 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 separate communication explaining how this provision will continue during the week.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that Year 11 Mock Examinations have been calendared to commence on Monday 7th December through to, and including, Monday 14th December. To support with this, it is extremely important that Year 11 participate in streamed lessons and live lessons via TEAMS.
With regard to Year Group closures, 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