COVID-19 – Headteacher’s Update Nov 6th 2020

Dear Parent/Carer

Our return to school this week has been very different when compared to the usual first week back after a holiday. Whilst we have enjoyed working with our year 7 and 8 pupils, there is no denying that the school has felt a rather strange and empty place in which to be without years 9-11; we look forward to welcoming all students back on Monday 9th November. Please be aware that the staggered starts and ends will continue for every year group due to the continuation of the Covid operational plan.

We would like to thank the majority of students in years 9. 10 and 11 who engaged well with online learning. We were pleased that many students supported each other and members of staff have been impressed with so many who demonstrated a mature and resilient attitude.

Please remember that unless your son or daughter is participating in a PE lesson then full school uniform must be worn (including appropriate school shoes). On days where PE kit is worn, it is permissible to wear PR leggings or’skins’ underneath the kit or students may wear dark jogging bottoms. Can I also take this opportunity to remind you that face coverings must be worn when students are walking through the corridors as we cannot ensure that students are in their contact groups at this time. Please ensure that your son/daughter comes to school with a face covering, a reusable one if possible.

Next week is important for year 11 students as the Welsh Government Minister for Education has indicated that she will make an announcement on Tuesday regarding GCSE examinations at the end of this year. This is an incredibly challenging time for our year 11 students and we hope that the actions to be announced will support them by removing as much pressure and uncertainty from them as possible.

We hope that you and your family are well and remain so. However, please can I remind you that students SHOULD not attend school if they are unwell and have any of the Covid symptoms: a new and persistent cough, a high temperature and the loss of taste and smell. They should also not attend school if a family member has these symptoms. Please continue to communicate with us so can support our students with relevant work.

Thank you for your continued support,

Yours sincerely,

Jennifer Ford