Headteacher's update - 23rd February 2021

Dear Parent/Carer

The Government announced yesterday that all students will be returning to secondary school from the 8^th March. The reason the word ‘from’ was used was to enable all students to be mass tested before they return to the classroom.

As previously communicated, we have been working hard over this period to set up our Testing Centre so that we could effectively and safely test two year groups per day. This means we will have all students back in school by the end of the day, Wednesday 10^th March.

Testing will start Monday 8^th March at 8.30am with Year 11 and the Sixth Form. Tuesday we will test Years 10 and 7 and on Wednesday Years 8 and 9. We will send your child’s test time by early next week. We will also send a consent form which must be filled in prior to your child’s arrival into school. Once your child has been tested they will return to their normal school timetable. A further test will be scheduled 3 to 5 days from their initial test. One more test will be completed the following week. When your child completes all 3 tests and can demonstrate they can self-administer their test, it can be conducted at home twice weekly. Test kits will then be provided by the school.

It is important the whole community is working together to ensure we get all children back into school as quickly as possible. Therefore please make sure you read all the information, complete the consent form and your child arrives on time for their test and return to school. Any issues with these will result in a slower return to school for all our pupils.

All students should arrive for their test in full school uniform and have their mobile phone. The wearing of masks in class and in communal areas is now compulsory and will be reviewed after Easter. Therefore ensure your child has an adequate supply.

More detail will follow soon regarding the safe return to school and we will be briefing students in our assemblies next week.

God bless