We are all facing uncertainty around how the country is going to cope with the growing cases of Coronavirus (Covid -19). The school, will of course follow the advice of central government, the NHS and Public Health England (PHE). As advice changes, we may have to make adjustments to our normal school day, these changes will be shared as they become necessary.

In school we have been making contingency plans, but most importantly we have been encouraging the students to follow the recognised advice about frequently washing hands, not shaking hands, not sharing food, not sharing water bottles/drinks and keeping hydrated. We have also reminded students how to access their work from home and the range of online learning resources they can all access, not just year 11. (SAM learning, Seneca learning, GCSE Pods and BBC Bitesize)

All school trips are under review. We have no overseas trips planned until July, so a decision about the Year 7 French trip and next year’s Battlefields residential can be made a later date. Local trips are having additional risk assessments completed based on the most recent advice from the venues and PHE/NHS. Any cancellations will be communicated parents as soon as possible.

Whilst these events are a concern for everyone, we also continue to go about our core business of educating the students. Year 11 are just weeks away from the start of their formal examinations, with many of the practical exams have already taken place or due to be completed in the coming weeks. The advice about the exams from JCQ and the Department for Education is that students and schools should continue to prepare as normal and expect the exams to be completed on the published dates. Therefore, year 11 are continuing with some final mock papers to help them prepare.

Year 10 are busy organising their work experience placements and year 9 have just completed the GCSE options process. Mrs Seeman organised a range of activities as part of a very successful National Science Week. The Hogwarts experiments session was particularly popular with the students. We also took part in Internet Safety Day, with Mr Taylor organising a range of activities and assemblies to provide students with reminders to keep themselves and others safe online.

Thank you to all the students for the calm and sensible way they are conducting themselves around school during this time of uncertainty. Please keep following the advice we are sharing, and doing your bit to minimise any possible transmission.

At time of writing the current term will end as planned on Thursday 2^nd April. If this changes then it will be communicated with parents as soon as possible via our website, social media accounts, text alert and email alert systems.