Parent Update – 12/12/21
Dear Parents and Carers
As you will be aware, the Omicron variant of coronavirus is causing great concern and is spreading very quickly. Schools have been issued with limited new advice, but I wanted to share this with you, as well as some other updates. I appreciate that many parents have already agreed to having their children vaccinated. I would encourage those of you that have not yet agreed to discuss this with your GP. It is important that we try to protect our community as a whole and to try to limit the development of new variants, and the disruption that they then bring. Vaccination is a key weapon in this fight.
Face Coverings in Schools
Guidance in this area has been strengthened by government.
Face coverings should be worn by pupils and students in year 7 and above (which would be children who were aged 11 on 31 August 2021), staff and visitors in communal areas, unless exempt. This is a temporary measure. Pupils and students in year 7 and above in these settings must also wear a face covering when travelling on public transport and should wear it on dedicated transport to and from school, college, or higher education provider.
It is therefore essential that ALL students wear a mask in indoor communal areas such as corridors. It is also important that ALL students remember to bring their own mask to school every day. We have a very limited stock of masks in school, and we are rapidly running out due to the number of masks we are having to give out. We can no longer afford to do this as it is costing over £100 per week for us to give masks to students who do not bring their own.
As we run in to the Christmas break, it is vital that we all adhere to these rules. Please remember that anyone who tests positive on or after Wednesday 15th December will be isolating for Christmas Day, and so this will have a huge impact on plans that you may have made. It is important that we also do all we can to protect staff, who are unable to ‘work from home’ like so many others are able to do.
End of Term Arrangements
The last day of school is Friday 17th December. This will be a non-uniform day and students should wear a Christmas jumper as part of this. We are asking for students to contribute £1 for this, and this will help support our chosen charities, including Batchley Support Group and St Basil’s. School will finish early on this day, with students being dismissed at around 12.30pm. Students should go straight home, and must not visit first and middle schools, who will be having their own Christmas celebrations.
Start of Term Arrangements
As part of the fight against the Omicron variant, schools have been asked to test students on their return in January. In order to facilitate this, we will be having a staggered start to the start of term. Please see below for details. Mr Earles will be sending out appointment times next week, along with information regarding consent. On the day of the test students will need to arrive in time for their appointment, wait for the result and then return home.
| Year Group | Test Day | Return to Lessons |
| 11,12, 13 | Wednesday 5th January | Thursday 6th January |
| 10 | Thursday 6th January | Friday 7th January |
| 9 | Friday 7th January | Monday 10th January |
Finally, I would like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Best wishes
Adrian Ward
