Letter to all families

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Dear families,

Happy New Year and I hope that you and your loved ones had a safe, healthy and happy Christmas break. I also wish you all the very best for 2022 and hope that you have a good year. 

I am writing following updated guidance from the DfE regarding Coronavirus and, particularly, the Omicron variant that has caused a significant rise in infection rates. The government is determined that schools should remain open and that children should attend school. Rightly, they believe that education of children is a priority, despite the continued challenges of Coronavirus. The government issued school leaders with new guidance on the 2nd January 2022 and I have outlined the main points of the guidance received below:

·         We will continue to ensure good ventilation, by ensuring windows and doors are open to allow air movement. Pupils should continue to wear normal school uniform and consider wearing additional layers beneath their uniform to ensure they are warm. However, these additional layers should not be visible. Coats will not need to be worn in classrooms if students wear these base layers. 

·         All students were given a pack of Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) in the last week of term and we ask that all students complete a test either this evening or tomorrow morning before returning to school. If any students tests positive then they should seek to book a confirmatory PCR test. 

·         Secondary-aged children must once again wear face coverings in lessons as well as in communal areas (unless exempt). Teachers do not have to wear face coverings when delivering at the front of the room, but my choose to, but will wear them when circulating around the class (unless exempt). Please ensure you provide your child with a face covering, as supplies in schools are still limited and we were giving out far too many masks at the start of every day last term. 

·         The rules surrounding quarantine have changed. Pupils and staff who have contracted Coronavirus should now isolate for 7 days and can return to school on the 8th day. However, they must have had negative lateral flow tests on day 6 and 7 of their quarantine period and have no Coronavirus symptoms. They should also continue to test on days 8, 9 and 10. This change will help children and staff to return to school more quickly and therefore reduce disruption.

·         Students should continue to regularly wash their hands and we recommend them carrying a hand sanitiser. Hand sanitiser will also be available throughout the school. 

Thank you for your help in supporting these measures in school as we look to play our part in reducing the spread of the virus. We look forward to welcoming the students back to school tomorrow. 

Once again, best wishes for 2022 and please do let us know if we can help or support you in any way.

Best wishes

Gregg Morrison

Principal 

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