Update from the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope this communication finds you and your families well, I am writing to you with a few updates regarding this term so far.  You may be aware that the government has recently made announcements on the use of face masks from 17th May in secondary schools. I have attached the link to the  guidance on face coverings in education  which states the amendments.  

From 17th May face coverings will no longer be recommended for staff and students in classrooms or communal areas, in all schools and colleges. The Government continues to recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff and visitors in situations outside of classrooms where social distancing is not possible.  As an academy we will therefore be asking students and staff not to wear face coverings in lessons from this date,  however, wearing them in communal areas such as corridors will be optional and at their discretion. 

It is also important to note that the guidance also says: “The reintroduction of face coverings for pupils, students or staff may be advised for a temporary period in response to particular localised outbreaks, including variants of concern.  In all cases, any educational drawbacks should be balanced with the benefits of managing transmission. The Local Action Committee structure (Bronze/Silver/Gold) should be used in such circumstances to re-introduce the use of face coverings. Immediate outbreak response (at the level of individual settings or a cluster of settings) remains for local Directors of Public Health to advise on.” 

Hopefully, we will not experience any local outbreaks as we have been very fortunate to have no further cases of COVID reported to us since early February.  Students should continue with the  lateral flow testing on Sundays and Wednesdays until we receive further guidance on this and any positives reported via the usual processes.

As part of the changes from Monday 17th May we will now also expect students to bring their PE kits into school and change onsite.  They will no longer be expected to wear their kit to school on PE days.  We will ensure changing facilities are deep cleaned in line with our COVID measures which we have maintained for the older students.  Mr Cogger will send further information on this separately. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support during this difficult academic year.  Slowly we seem to be returning back to normality with restrictions easing nationally and the vaccines being rolled out effectively so things are all moving in the right direction and hopefully will continue to do so.  Even though this academic year has been challenging, we have celebrated the positives in our school and there have been nearly 25,000 moments of recognition logged by staff where students have impressed them with their creativity, outstanding effort and excellent output. One of the highest areas recognised by our staff, was the Resilience merit given to students that try and try again, doing all they can to improve themselves; this sums up our students perfectly in what has been the key for their success this year. 

Finally, a couple of key dates for your diaries, 

  • 9th July INSET day and students should not attend school as this will be a staff training day. 
  • 14th July Sports day on the academy site; we will send further information regarding the day nearer the time.
  • 21st July- End of academic year.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Anwar