Our Ref: 2021/039/AND/SAF
02 March 2021
Dear Parent/Carers
Phased Reopening to all Students
It is with great pleasure that I can write to you with further details of our reopening to all students from Monday 8th March. We are excited to welcome all of our wonderful students back into the classroom and to adhere to Government guidance in order to keep us all safe, there are a number of processes which we must follow.
A crucial feature of the national plan to reduce the risk presented by the virus is that all students have the opportunity to be tested for Covid19 three times in the first two weeks of returning to the academy site. For this to happen, we will require written consent for each student which will be requested shortly.
Government guidance is that schools implement a phased approach to reopening from 8th March, to enable testing to take place prior to students commencing classroom learning. To ensure that our students are back in the classroom as soon as possible, we will begin testing students this week, starting with our GCSE students in Years 10 and 11. The testing process for all students will be conducted on an appointment basis, with each tutor group allocated a specific time indicated in the table at the end of this letter. Following the first test, each student will be expected to return home to follow their remote learning timetable. In the event of a positive test result, individual parents and carers will be informed immediately.
Following the initial three on-site Covid19 tests, each student will be provided with test kits and instructions to conduct testing at home under the supervision of a parent or carer. It is expected that students will conduct two tests per week at home. All positive test results should be reported to us by contacting the academy via reception or through EduLink. The academy will then follow the advice of Public Health England regarding next steps.
In addition to testing, Government guidance is that students wear masks in corridors, communal areas and now also in classroom lessons. This is another important measure that reduces the risk of transmission. We continue to appreciate that some students may be medically exempt from wearing a face covering and if you haven’t already done so, please contact the academy to share the specific medical exemption.
Our strong safety protocols, which were in place prior to the Christmas break, will remain and these will be familiar to all students. Our protocols include seating plans, class and year group ‘bubbles’, specific dining arrangements and a staggered start and finish to the academy day. I understand that some students may be feeling anxious about returning to the academy and I can assure you that the wellbeing of each student is of the highest importance to us all.
I appreciate that the national response to the pandemic has caused significant disruption to you and your family. Our intention is that your child’s return to school will be a positive and safe experience. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Tutor in the first instance.
Yours sincerely,
Mr A Deen
Principal
Please see the timetable here – Timetable for all Years