Headteacher update: Reduction in Covid 19 restrictions at school next week.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are really looking forward to seeing all your children next week!  I wanted to write to you briefly to make you aware of some of the reduction in restrictions in relation to Covid 19 before the start of the new academic year. 

As you will know, there have been a significant number of reductions in the government restrictions for schools related to Covid, which will mean that your children will be mixing more with each other at times like assemblies, lunches and other events which we have really missed as a school community.  There is also less of a requirement for pupils who have been a close contact to self-isolate too (this is now being managed by NHS Track and Trace), which we hope will mean pupils missing less school.

While we all hope the reduction in restrictions will mean that your children can get back to a more normal experience at school, we also wanted to reassure you that as a school we will be taking a sensible approach to keeping everyone safe whilst adhering to the guidelines.  For example, while there will not be any “bubbles”, we have asked our teachers to plan carefully to reduce any unnecessary close contacts without impacting your children’s education.  Another example is that we will have assemblies by key stage and not whole school assemblies at present. 

This is along with additional cleaning routines from our housekeepers, continued use of face coverings in confined areas where there is poor ventilation and it is a small area e.g. when supporting a pupil in the bathroom and of course they will spend the vast majority of their day within their own class as per normal.   

We understand that for some of you the reduction in routines will be a relief and for others it will be worrying (or a bit of both), so please get in touch with the school via your child’s class teacher and discuss this further with them. 

You can find out more detail in our risk assessment (on our website).

Important reminders:

Testing:

Last year we opted to not attempt to test our secondary aged students because we were concerned about a number of issues including consent and damaging relationships with students.  We are taking a similar position this year, but I would like to ask all families (regardless of age), to test yourselves twice weekly.  This really would go a long way to keeping your children and our whole school community safe and working as smoothly as possible. Staff at school will be encouraged to do the same.

Here is a link to the government LFD test ordering webpage.  You can also ask the school for a pack and we would be happy to send some home for you.  Order coronavirus (COVID-19) rapid lateral flow tests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Covid symptoms:

Here is the government guidance on when and if self-isolation is necessary: When to self-isolate and what to do - Coronavirus (COVID-19) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Please do not send your child in if they are displaying any Covid 19 symptoms.

Please collect your son or daughter promptly if you are called to collect them because they are displaying Covid 19 symptoms. 

Transport at Sherwood Hill:

Following the review of the safety in the Sherwood Hill car park, it has been recommended that all transport (including those who have altered start and finish times), must use the Beddington Gardens entrance (and therefore the one-way system).   There are a few parents  and escorts who drop their children off at a later time and last year were permitted to use the Stanley Park Road gates, please support us by now using the Beddington Garden’s entrance moving forward (SAME START AND FINISH TIME AS PREVIOUSLY AGREED) – thank you

Please look out for our Welcome letter coming shortly, which will give you updates on some new faces starting with us this year among other things.

I look forward to working with you all this coming year!

Very best wishes,

David