Dear Parents,
I hope you are all well and continuing to stay safe. As we come to the end of this most unusual half term, I wanted to thank you for your continued support throughout this period.
I wrote to you last week to update you on our plans following the announcement about the stated intention to bring Year10 and Year 12 in for some limited face to face contact from 1st June.
We want to get our students back to some schooling as soon as we can. However, we can only do this when it is as safe as it can be for them, our staff, you and the family members in your home. We understand the high levels of anxiety and worry that surround this and the media coverage that this is currently receiving is raising lots of questions. We want to be able to bring children back into school when the risk to health is low enough to balance the risk of students not getting the very best education and pastoral care. To ensure this can happen we have been assessing the risks and how we can mitigate them.
We are working on plans to be able to open the college more widely to Year 10 and 12 students. Much remains unknown and until the government review, which is due to take place on 28th May, we are unable to confirm our plans. However, I wanted to share our current plans on what will happen once we are in position that we can open more widely.
What will happen after half term?
Years 7, 8 & 9 will continue to be set work remotely and will not be coming into college. We are developing more interactive lessons as well as launching other activities to further support the work currently being set. We want students to have more opportunity to engage with their teachers and hope the interactive lessons will help to do this.
Years 10 and 12 will receive face to face support with staff in college alongside the work being set remotely.
How will the face to face support for Year 10 and 12 look?
It is not possible for us to deliver a normal timetable of lessons or run a normal college day and nor it is possible to have all of Year 10 and 12 students in college at the same time given the parameters we are working within. We must carefully balance the absolute need for safety of students and staff with how we can offer maximum support. We want to be able to have useful discussions with students about what they have been doing since the closure. We know that so many of our students have been doing some brilliant work at home, but they have not had the opportunity to have face to face contact with teachers.
When Year 10 and 12 are able to return, in the first instance, we are going to run academic coaching sessions. We will group students into very small groups (approx. 4 students) who will work with a member of staff to discuss what has gone well, what has been problematic and what support is now required in both core and option subjects. This will allow us to put in place more personalized support as we move forward and know what areas will need additional input. Staff will also be able to provide practical support in directing students to the right resources and activities to focus on.
It is envisaged that each student in years 10 and 12 will have a minimum of two sessions (either morning or afternoon) with a member of staff before the end of this academic year.
To reduce the risk of transmission, students would not have lunch at college but would instead be in for a morning or afternoon session.
We will however need to be flexible with this and review on a weekly basis.
When will the sessions start for Year 10 and 12?
We would like to be able to start this on Wednesday 3rd June. However, this date cannot be confirmed until after 28th May. It is possible it will be pushed back depending on announcements next week.
What safety measures are being put in place in the college?
Below are some of the key measures we are putting in place in addition to adhering to social distancing guidance.
| What we are putting in place | |
| 1. Movement in and around the building | One way system
Use of classrooms with doors to the outside (where possible) Students initially in for short periods of time thus avoiding social time in college and the need to move around the building Use of History and Geography pods for face to face contact as they provide hand washing facilities 2metre markings and signage is visible in the college Duty presence increased |
| 2. Hygiene routines | Hand sanitiser available on every desk and stations throughout the college
Handwashing time embedded into daily timetable Cleaning routines increased |
| 3. Classroom protocol | We will not be taking books in and are looking at the potential for students bringing in own devices. |
| 4. Managing transport | Initially students would be dropped off or would walk to college. We do not encourage the use of public transport at this point
Car parking bays will be marked for parents collecting students and we will allocate pick up times
Parents/carers to stay in their vehicles - with no access to the building |
| 5. Supporting students wellbeing | Time will be set aside for discussion about well being, to support what students have been through during this period |
When will I have further information about the sessions my child is expected to attend if they are in Year 10 and 12 ?
Following the government announcement on 28th May, I will write to you (week commencing 1st June) detailing when your child will be expected into college and provide further information on how we will be operating.
I am sure you appreciate there are still lots of unknowns but we will do our very best to ensure you have all the updates you need.
Finally, I want to wish you a relaxing bank holiday weekend where you hopefully get the chance to get some well-earned rest. As it is half term next week, students will not be set any work remotely. This will resume on Monday 1stJune.
Continue to stay safe and well.
Mrs C. Aitcheson
Principal