Dear Parents / Carers,

I would like to start by thanking you all for your hard work and unwavering support during the past few weeks. If you have any concerns, please do speak to your child’s form tutor in the first instance for additional support.

I am writing to provide clarity and reassurance regarding the reopening of the academy for year 10 students. In the Prime Minister’s speech he stated that the return to school would be, ‘beginning with reception, year 1 and year 6’ and that it was the government’s ‘ambition for students sitting exams next year to have at least some time with their teachers before the holidays’. At this time, we are unable to give a return to school date as we are awaiting further guidance from the Government.

During the first two weeks after half-term, we will be contacting parents and students to conduct a risk assessment for each child. As per government guidelines, we are looking forward to having students back in the academy and ready to learn.

However, the safety of students and staff continues to be our primary concern, as it has been since the outset of this pandemic. I have outlined the extensive measures that we are implementing below:

· Students will be provided with their own set of equipment.

· Students will be assigned their own chair which, whilst we are only having one year group in school, will only ever be used by them.

· Staggered arrival and leaving slots.

· Students will be assigned to a mini pod with the same adult always supervising, wherever possible.

· Lessons will be conducted via an online learning video conferencing to enable the full range of subject specialist teaching whilst minimising contact.

· One way system around the academy.

· New fire procedures.

· Marked entrance spacing to adhere with social distancing measures.

· Grid lines on the MUGA and hard standing to adhere with social distancing measures.

· Risk assessments for students and staff.

· Interim behaviour policy.

· Interim teaching and learning policy.

· Interim assessment policy.

· Interim home learning policy.

· Interim procedures for break times, lunch time, toilet access, visitors to the school.

· An advice sheet for parents to ensure students are safe on their journey to and from school.

· New home school agreement for the interim period.

· Increased cleaning.

Although we are keen to have students back in school as soon as possible, we will not do so until we feel that all possible safety measures have and can be implemented, and that the Government confirm that the five measures for schools to reopen have been met. Only then will we be in a position to release a return date.

Please ensure that you have downloaded the MyEd app in order to receive important updates.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs J Mitchell

CEO/Principal