Dear Parent/Carer,

 

Following yesterday’s announcement by the Prime Minister, stating that schools will re-open to all students from the 8^th March, I wanted to write to you to briefly explain our next steps.  We are very much looking forward to welcoming our students back and would like to reassure you that the safety of our students and our staff remains a priority, as we plan for their return.

We expect that further clarification will be published by the Department for Education (DfE) over the next few days but it is unlikely that all students will return on 8^th March, as we need to ensure that Lateral Flow Tests are undertaken, before students are able to return to the classroom.

Thank you to the many parents who have already returned their consent for student testing.  If you have not yet returned your consent, please could I urge you to do so?  This will be a huge help to us in preparing for our students returning to College. Further details and a link to the form can be found on our dedicated page here. You can access the form directly here, however important consent information is detailed on our website.

I will write to you again next week, to confirm our plans to bring all students back to College safely, from Monday 8^th March.  See below for the information that is currently available from the DfE.

With many thanks for your ongoing support.

 

Yours faithfully,
 
Mrs J Bevan
Principal

 

Information from the Department for education (DfE):

Schools and colleges return to full opening from Monday 8 March

 The Prime Minister has announced today (Monday 22 February) that the Government has set out its plan for the return of all pupils to schools and colleges, as part of the roadmap for leaving lockdown, which was published today.

 All schools will return to face-to-face education from Monday 8 March.

 All secondary school and college students will take coronavirus (COVID-19) tests as they return to the classroom from Monday 8 March. Schools and colleges will have discretion on how to phase the return of their students over the week beginning 8 March to allow them to be tested on return.

 After an initial programme of 3 tests in school or college, students will be provided with two rapid tests to use each week at home. Secondary school and college staff will also continue to be provided with two tests to use each week at home.

 Staff and students in secondary schools and colleges are advised to wear face coverings in all areas, including classrooms, where social distancing cannot be maintained as a temporary extra measure.