Dear parents & carers, We are looking forward to seeing all the children back in school in September. We have sought to make school as normal as possible so that we can offer a full education and a positive experience for the children, whilst ensuring that school complies with all Public Health Directives.
These are the essential things that you and your child need to be aware of for their first day back at school.
Start days and start times
To ensure all students have time to properly acclimatise to the new routines and procedures in school Years 8 to 13 will be in school on one of the following days in the first week of term. Year 7 will be in on Wednesday and Thursday only. Everyone will be back from Monday September 7th.
Wednesday September 2nd: Year 7 only Year 7 only, arriving after 8.15am for an 8.30am start.
Thursday September 3rd: Years 7, 9 & 11 only Year 7, arriving after 8.15am for an 8.30am start. Year 9, arriving after 8.30am for an 8.45am start. Year 11, arriving after 8.45am for a 9.00am start.
Friday September 4th: Years 8, 10, 12 & 13 only Year 8, arriving after 8.15am for an 8.30am start. Year 10, arriving after 8.30am for an 8.45am start. Years 12 & 13, arriving after 8.45am for a 9.00am start.
Upon arrival students should come to their year groups’ entry point as explained in the video. They will be warmly greeted and directed to their tutor group at that point.
Travel to school In order to minimise any crowding we ask children should not arrive more than 15 minutes before their start time. Each year group has a 15 minute “window of entry”. We ask that parents do not enter our school car park.
Children should be encouraged to walk or cycle to school. School buses and public transport will run as normal for students who have no other alternative. In line with Department for Transport guidelines masks must be worn on buses and trains.
Uniform Students must wear full school uniform as normal. Ties and badges can be brought from the school office on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd September.
Equipment It is vitally important that children come to school with their own equipment – at the very least a pen, pencil, ruler, & calculator in a pencil case and in a school bag.
Parent Pay We have introduced an online parent pay system to minimise the use of the canteen top-up machines. You will receive an email about this very soon.
Home School Agreement You will be asked to sign a new Home School Agreement which clearly outlines the responsibilities of school, parents and students in order to keep everyone as safe as possible. We ask that this is completed within 5 days of the start.
Masks and sanitizer Public Health England have stated that masks do not need to be worn in school. This is because the children mix with the same children and adults each day. We also note that masks will make communication between teachers and children more difficult.
As the video shows, we have ensured that children will clean their hands throughout the day. However, they are welcome to bring their own sanitizer to supplement this if they wish.
We have made a video for students to explain the essential information. You can see the video here – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZjEBtm4PN0rwjxE3a459tmbsdppG_8H1/view?usp=sharing
NOTE – The government has since adjusted its advice on the use of face coverings in school. Mr Goodwin has recorded a short video for students on this matter. For more information, please click here
Please note that this video does not explain in full detail all the protective measures in place. These can be viewed in a 20 page Risk Assessment document which is available here. Our plans for re-opening the school have been approved by the LA and all the trade unions and were drawn up after consultation with staff, parents and governors.
On the first day of school, all students will have training in how to stay safe, and in all the new routines we have in place.
I am confident that they will very quickly settle into their “new normal” routines.
Mr Goodwin