Dear Parents and Carers,

Further to the updated Government Covid guidance for schools which was released today, I wanted to write to you about next steps.

Schools are required to test all students again on the return to school in January. To manage this effectively we will again have to have a phased return to school for students. Please remember that Monday 3^rd January 2022 is a Bank Holiday.

All students should test themselves before coming into school and should obviously only come in if the test is negative. We have plenty of testing kits in school so please make sure your child/ward collects extra for use over the Christmas holiday.

Next term:

1. If LFD tests conducted at home are negative, Sixth Form students will return to school as planned on Tuesday 4^th January at the usual time. They will only be tested in school if they have been unable to conduct an LFD test prior to coming in and wish to be tested.
2. Years 10 and 11 will also return to school on Tuesday 4^th January and will be tested during the morning whilst continuing with normal lessons. They will continue with the rest of the week as normal.
3. Years 8 and 9 will return to school on Wednesday 5^th January and will be tested during the morning whilst continuing with normal lessons. They will continue with the rest of the week as normal.
4. Year 7 will return to school on Thursday 6^th January and will be tested during the morning whilst continuing with normal lessons. They will continue with the rest of the week as normal.

For those students returning on Wednesday 5^th and Thursday 6^th January, work will be set on Class Charts to reduce lost learning.

By Thursday 6^th January, all students will be back in school. Whilst another phased return is far from ideal, we need to manage the testing programme as best we can. Our school risk assessment is currently being updated and will be on the school website shortly. You can take a look at the latest guidance here.

Face Coverings:

It is highly recommended that face coverings/masks are worn in all communal areas of school and on school buses/public transport. With the new variant of Covid, the Government and Public Health believe this is important to stop the spread. Masks do not need to be worn outside.

We only have a few face masks left in school and are struggling to get more at this time. It is therefore essential that your child/ward brings a clean face mask into school every day and I would be grateful if you would remind them they should be worn on school buses and outside the classroom when moving round school. Hand sanitisers around school are kept fully topped up, windows are open in classrooms and students are being encouraged regularly to observe good hygiene habits.

Further information about testing in January will follow later this week. Please keep testing twice a week at home, and reporting the results, as we approach Christmas.

I hope you and your family stay safe and well.

Yours faithfully

Ms K Earle
Headteacher