The Government have given their much-anticipated update in terms of the next phase of the lockdown policy. 

 
Pupils in Years 7-9
From this update, we believe that the current lockdown learning arrangements will remain in place for Years 7-9 until the end of the summer term, meaning it is likely that children in these year groups will not return to school until September at the earliest. 
 
We will continue to provide regular updates to learning via Show My Homework, issuing praise, weekly awards, and regular updates in our weekly blog.  We thank you for your patience, support, and dedication to your child’s education. We are committed to providing the resources your child needs to learn effectively at home and welcome any requests for additional support. It is crucial that you let us know if your child is struggling and we will do our best to help in a way that will motivate and engage them.

 
Pupils in Year 10 and Year 12
We were also given an indication that the first-year groups which may return to have some ‘face to face’ contact / learning in secondary schools will be children who have examinations next year. This would be our current Year 10 and Year 12 students.
 
We do not have a definite date for this possible return as it is dependent on scientific review and agreement from Teaching Unions. 

 
We do know that if it happens:

• We will have strict social distancing measures in place.
• Students will not follow their usual timetable. 
• Cohorts will be split into smaller groups and attend on alternative sessions.
• The day will be shorter than the usual school day, allowing for staggered arrival and departure times.
• Class sizes will be no more than 10 pupils per class.
• Desks will be set 2 metres apart and facing the same direction.
• Students will not move around the building, but they will remain in one large classroom / learning area for each learning / support ‘session’.
• Sanitiser gel and wipes will be available for pupils and staff use in every classroom.

All students, except those who are shielding / self-isolating due to an underlying health condition or who live in a household where someone is shielding, will be encouraged to attend these face-to-face sessions to supplement and support their continued remote education. 

 
Children of Key Workers
Arrangements for provision will continue as normal.

We will continue to give you updates as and when we receive them. In the meantime, we thank you as always, for your support and cooperation in ensuring a safe and pleasant home learning environment for your child.