September 2020 

I hope you are all well.

This has certainly been a start to the school term like no other!

As I said in my letter home earlier in the month, I have been really impressed with the way the vast majority of students have handled the return to school, and how they have quickly adapted to the new day-to-day arrangements. However, I would appreciate support from home in reminding students of the importance of social distancing as much as possible, even within their year group bubble. This includes not hugging friends or rough play during social time. We all have our part to play in helping to beat this virus.

Knowing if symptoms are COVID-19 or seasonal flu is challenging, and the difficulty many of you have experienced in getting tests and the long wait for results has been frustrating. This has been the same for all of us. We cannot give advice about symptoms, but I would urge everyone to show caution when considering if it is appropriate for their child to attend school or not.

I am very grateful to year 9 parents for signing up to our modified parents’ evening experience. Phone calls and emails allow us to share the same information but not risk anyone’s health.

We have had to cancel post 16 evening for year 10 & 11. We cannot bring into school staff from a wide range of post 16 providers, so once again we are trying to be creative. Many of the sixth forms and colleges are putting together information and videos that we will then share with the students in school. Mrs Myers, our careers advisor, is working hard to meet with each year 11 student individually to discuss their plans and aspirations so we can support them in making the right applications.

School photos have been postponed until 11^th January 2021. This date will be subject to review and will very much depend on government advice at the time.

This week we should have been welcoming year 6 to spend the day with us and then to join us with their parents for Open Evening, instead we have created a short virtual tour of the school and written to them and their parents. From the acting ability shown by the Senior Leadership Team, it is clear there will be no nominations for an Oscar in our futures!

All the staff, regardless of their role, have been working incredibly hard to make sure the students’ experience is as positive and close to ‘normal’ as possible in these difficult times. I am very grateful to them all for their commitment and creativity as we all adapt to the new normal.

I end by reverting to a message I gave during lock down. Please stay safe and follow the rules. Together we will get through this.