Dear Parents and Carers,

We have reached the end of term (almost!) and it has been a term like no other. Back in September it was fantastic to welcome back the students, many of whom we hadn’t seen since March. The school reopened in a very different way to normal and the focus was clearly upon getting the students back into the buildings and back into learning. As the term has developed Covid-19 has continued to throw us its challenges. As you are aware, we have had a number of positive cases throughout the term and appreciate your patience and understand if we have asked your child to self-isolate.

I want to publicly say thank you to you - our student's families - for your support and trust in us over this time. I am immensely proud of all the staff who have worked extremely hard to ensure the best quality provision for students in challenging circumstances. The school really has been succeeding together.

Today I have some end of term messages to share with you, these can be found below.

I would also like to take the opportunity to wish you and your families a peaceful Christmas and sending you my best wishes for 2021.

Ben Chaloner - Head Teacher

Contact tracing during Christmas holidays

Schools have been asked to identify close contacts to any reported positive Covid-19 cases during the first six days of the Christmas break. That means that if your child tests positive for Covid-19 and was in school for the 48 hours preceding symptoms then we will need to identify any close contacts and ask them to self-isolate for 10 days from the last time of contact in line with national guidelines.

To report a positive test result for your child between the close of school on Friday 18^th December 2020 and the 24^th December 2020 then please complete the Form below.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=UV2y8YljBkW5U3eUuqe8iJYxgEbQNWxEvey1ys2a3YRUQkI0MVdDNjE1MzhBOUNJRlk5RVVSTzEyRy4u

We will check details submitted twice a day, at 10am and 1pm, between 19^th December to 24^th December inclusive. If we identify your child as a close contact, then we will send you a text message and an email to inform you.

Last Day of Term

School will close early on Friday 18^th December 2020 for the Christmas break. Buses will leave at 1pm and there will be a staggered departure preceding this. Departure times are below:

·  12:40 – Year 7

·  12:45 – Year 9 and Year 8

·  12:50 - Year 10 and Year 12, 13

First day of spring term

As I write this, there is speculation in the national media of a staggered start for secondary school students come January. We are awaiting confirmation of any plan regarding this from the government but it does seem likely that changes are on their way. As it currently stands school reopens after the Christmas holidays on Tuesday 5^th January 2020. The school day will begin at 8:50am with a tutor period followed by normal lessons. If there are any changes to this following any official announcement from the government then we will communicate this.

Equipment

When preparing your child to return to school after the holidays please do ensure that they have the correct equipment. It has become apparent that as the term has progressed a number of students have become increasingly forgetful in bringing the correct things. 

Year 11 Mock Exams – rescheduled

Choosing to reschedule the exams, rather than allow students to take them at home, was a difficult decision. Having the exams in the hall is good experience for students, in terms of preparing them for their final exams, and allows more students to be able to successfully sit the paper. The overall disruption to the mock exams is being carefully recorded to ensure it can be taken into account at a later date, should arrangements for assessments change from the current plan of all subjects sitting full exams.

Any exams scheduled for Tuesday 15^th December will now take place on Thursday 7^th January – Drama, PE, Technology, Music Tec.

Any exams scheduled for Wednesday 16^th December will now take place on Friday 8^th January – Physics