Dear Parents and Carers

Plans for the return to school in September 2021

We are all really looking forward to seeing our school full of students again and I would just like to reiterate some points that have been raised over the holiday period.

Updated risk assessments are in place to cover the changes for a full return of the whole school for September.

All of our planning is based on the current Covid Step 4 guidance and we will of course inform you of any changes via email and on the school’s website as always.

Bubbles/ Mixing of students – the school will now be treated as one ‘bubble’ .

Movement around school – the students will follow the quickest way around the school; the one-way system will no longer be in place.

Hygiene in school – students will be asked to sanitize their hands when they enter school and at the start of every lesson.  Students will be reminded to wash their hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet and before and after eating.

Clubs and activities – all clubs and activities will be reviewed and some will continue to run. They will all be for single year groups only or if they are a consistent group, this may be allowed.

Uniform – we will be following our normal uniform rules.  Coats (not hoodies) will be needed for the wet / cold as usual.  We do understand that blazers are in short supply but will soon be available.  School jumpers may be worn for now.

Equipment – all students must bring basic equipment (and spare pens/pencils) every day. The expected basic equipment is listed on the school website under uniform. Pens will be available to buy from the Library and several Curriculum areas.

Start and end of the day – students should aim to arrive between 8:15 and 8:20 and move directly, via their year group’s designated entry route, to their form rooms for Tutor time at 8.25am.

Travel to school– we actively want more students to walk / cycle if they can to school but obviously many will still need to use the school buses and trains.  As per guidance, facemasks must be worn on public transport.

School transport – students will be asked to sanitize their hands before boarding the buses.

Drop off / collecting students:  We request that all parents ensure a safe drop and collection of students.  We have increased our student numbers as a school and now have over 800 students arriving and leaving every day. Please do use the one-way system in and out of the Leisure Centre car park and be considerate of our school neighbours.

Timetable and start dates – we are running the full timetable for all students. Students will be issued with their timetables as normal on their first day of term.

Term starts on Friday 3 September for Year 7 Welcome Day only.

Friday 3 September – Year 7 only in school and Years 8-11 for LFT only (please refer to timetable)
From w/c Monday 6 September – all year groups in every day

Canteen – the canteen will be open as normal. Break will be at 10.25 until 10.45 and all lunch will be 12.25-12.50

Breaks and lunches – Break and lunchtime areas will be back to normal with all students using the canteen, as they require.

PE lessons – Students will continue with PE lessons and will need to have the correct PE kit ready to change into for their lessons.

Face masks – these are not mandatory at present in school but may be worn in if students so wish.

Illness / illness in school – Any student who is unwell will be sent home.  If you have changed your telephone/mobile number or email address, please ensure that you access the SIMS App and update your details so that we can contact you.   If your child is ill and will not be attending, please follow the normal procedure and call the absence line.  If your child has Covid symptoms, you must follow the Covid guidance.

Behaviour management policy – our normal approach to behaviour management will not change. We will continue to promote positive behaviour and de-escalation and will also continue to operate Restorative Approaches if poor behaviour is evident.

Mobile Phones – our Policy will be as before; phones are to be switched off at all times.

Lockers – will be available for the majority of students.

Visitors /Parents in school – we will not be able to see any visitors/parents without an appointment.  Please telephone the school prior to arriving to ensure a member of staff is available to see you.

Socialising after school – students will be escorted off the school grounds and we ask for your support to remind them that socialising in large groups is still not advised.

We look forward to starting the new academic year and know that some students will need additional support to make the transition back to regular school; this support will be in place from all staff. If you have any questions about how the school will operate in September please do get in touch.

Best wishes

Yvonne Watkins
Headteacher

Inset Days for 2021/2022

Friday 15 October 2021

Tuesday 4 January 2022

Wednesday 5 January 2022

Inset Days 4 and 5 – to be confirmed