Dear Parents/carers
It is hard to believe that we are at the end of the academic year. I wrote to you this time last year about the extraordinary events we had been through, but little did we know what this year would bring.
When we returned in August 2020 with temporary plans in place for bubbles, close contact tracing and remote learning (should we require it), we had no idea these plans would have to remain in place for the whole year and that we would experience two more lockdowns.
All these challenges have not come without their issues, but the response of our whole school community has been nothing but positive. We have seen during this year some truly amazing work from students and staff reflecting our core values of Respect, Resilience and Success. As staff and students faced multiple periods of self isolation, live lessons, lateral flow testing, the cancellation of exams and Teacher Assessed Grades, we have seen a willingness and sheer determination from everyone to do their absolute best. It has been a privilege to see our students work through this year and overcome and tackle head on the challenges they have been faced with.
As we move in into next year, we can be positive about the year ahead. We have a fantastic new building for our students, the introduction of our Real Life Curriculum, exciting plans in place for a new rewards and recognition programme for our students, as well as continuing to ensure all our students are equipped to be ‘the best they can be.’
We are, as ever extremely grateful for your continued support and are very much looking forward to inviting you back into school to see all the great work that has been done in the last year.
Please find below some important reminders:-
End of Term
Students will be finishing at midday on Friday 9th July. There is a whole school virtual assembly during registration. Lessons 1 & 2 will be as normal and there will be a short Lesson 3 in tutor groups from 11.25-midday so that tutors can spend some time with tutor groups to celebrate the year.
Summer Break - COVID 19 protocols over the holiday
- If your child has coronavirus symptoms (or similar) you should book a test immediately (https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test) or by calling 119.
- If symptoms began within 48 hours of 4pm on Friday 9th July and a positive test result is received then you MUST contact us on this specific email address covid19@clcc.college to alert us quickly. This is because your child may have been infectious whilst in school.
- Members of our Leadership Team will then track and trace close contacts from lessons and inform you by text if your child needs to self-isolate.
- Parents must inform NHS Track and Trace of social contacts.
- Parents DO NOT need to inform us of any cases of COVID where symptoms begin after 4pm on Sunday 11th July.
Summer Break - Lateral Flow Testing
Thank you for all your efforts with the Lateral Flow Testing, it has been a huge help in maintaining the safety of our students during this time.
Testing is suspended over the holidays so there is no expectation you continue to test and record results. However, I would urge you to continue to do so for your own safety. If you require tests for the holiday period, please let us know.
Uniform
Uniform information for next year can be found here. Please ensure you are familiar with the changes we have made for next year., Uniform Information | Countesthorpe Academy (clcc.college)
Please pay particular attention to rules on piercings and hair colour to ensure students comply with our rules when they return.
Start of Term
Students return to school from Wednesday 25th August 2021
The DfE has issued new operational guidance for schools which includes information about on-site lateral flow testing at the start of the Autumn Term, similar to the process we went through prior to the return to school in March.
The official return date for students is Wednesday 25th August. We will have a staggered start for students over the course of that week in order to support those who are new to the school and to enable us to carry out the on-site lateral flow testing prior to students coming back to school.
As this information may change over the next few weeks, we will finalise our plans over the summer holiday. I will be writing to you again during the week of the 9th August with updated plans for the start of term. I will clarify specific arrangements for the start of the year and which year groups will be returning on what dates.
Finally, we are saying a number of goodbyes at the end of this week.
Ms Prenta (Science) and Mrs Stockwell (Student Support) are retiring from teaching. They have given phenomenal service to the school and between them have been with us for 56 years!
Miss Riordan (English) is relocating, whilst Mr Carr (Science), Mrs Hall (Drama), Mrs Warren (History), Ms Mellion (French) and Ms Beal (Maths) are moving to new roles.
Mrs Russell (Assistant Headteacher) is also leaving at the end of this year to take on a Leadership role in Melton Mowbray. Many of you will have had close dealings with Mrs Russell who has been at the school for 16 years in a number of pastoral roles and has been the first point of contact for lots of parents during her time with us.
I am sure you will join me in thanking all these staff for the commitment and dedication they have given during their time at the school and wish them every success as they embark on the next stage in their lives.
I wish you all a happy, restful and very well deserved summer break and thank you for all your support throughout this year.
Mrs C Aitcheson
Headteacher