Return to School Letter 4/1/22

04 January 2022

Letter to all school students/parents/carers/guardians and staff

Dear Parents and Carers,

Happy New Year to you all – we really hope you managed to enjoy a lovely break and you are ready for the challenges and joy 2022 may bring.

We have received further information from the Department for Education regarding the arrangements for pupils at secondary schools. Please read the update below and do everything you can to help us ensure this guidance is followed by all:

1. All pupils (unless medically exempt) must now wear masks in both classrooms and communal areas in school. You must provide masks for your child/children every day. We only have a very limited supply of disposable ones. Obviously, we will encourage children to be outdoors as much as possible during break and lunch where they will be able to safely remove their masks.

2. We now have clarification on testing those who have had Covid in the past 90 days – they can now be tested on their return to school and should continue to use the LFD tests twice each week.

3. The staggered return schedule for testing is outlined below. All students to return via Dudley Street Gate.

Wednesday 5^th January          (SWB6, Year 11 and Year 10 to return)

Year 11                                    Arrival time 0840

Year 10                                    Arrival time 1120

SWB6                                        Arrival time 1300

Thursday 6th January              (Year 7 and Year 9 to return)

SWB6, Year 11, Year 10            Arrival time 0840

Year 9                                      Arrival time 0900

Year 7                                         Arrival time 1120

Friday 7th January                   (All students to return at 0840 except Year 8)

Year 8                                         Arrival time 0900

4. As per the recent national guidance, if anyone tests positive, their 10 day isolation can be reduced to 7 days, as long as 2 consecutive NEGATIVE lateral flow results are seen for both the 6th and 7th day.

5. If your child/children has cold-like symptoms, please ensure you test your child/children at home and get a PCR where possible. They should attend school if the test is negative. Students who have provided consent for testing will be given home testing kits, plus extra kits will be available from the academy Reception for parents/carers to collect if required.

The academy remains fully open and all pupils (unless unwell) must attend, based upon the return schedule above – we will update you if we need to make any future changes as the half term progresses.

As ever, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any issues or concerns.

Yours sincerely,

W R Hughes

Principal.