Some good news on the COVID restrictions today – face coverings will no longer be required in classrooms from tomorrow (Thursday).
Rules they must be worn in corridors and communal areas will stay in place until next Thursday (27th).
The change was announced by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons.
We await detail on the other restrictions and when we are allowed, for example, to start extra-curricular activities again.
In the meantime, thank you to students, staff and parents / carers for their support, patience, and enthusiasm for what we are doing in difficult circumstances.
We will, of course, communicate further once we know have details of the guidance.
An announcement on this summer’s exams is expected from the Department for Education on 7th February.
Again, we will let children and parents / carers know as soon as we do.
Year 11s are being readied for GCSEs this summer. Their last set of academic exams start in all subjects from Monday and run through until Friday, 11th February.
Students are busy revising and I wish them well.
I have been tremendously impressed by Year 11’s response to the school-led tutoring scheme, part of the national effort to help this age group in the pandemic.
We have had 85% attendance at the after-school sessions on a Wednesday. They last 15 weeks and I know the children’s investment in them – supported by parents / carers – will pay dividends.
Various other revision classes are taking place for Year 11s after school. Their final parents / carers evening is on 10th March.
Year 9 will have its parents / carers consultation evening on 9th February while, for Year 7, it takes place on 16th March.
Academy exams will take place for Year 9s in the main hall on week commencing 28th March.
Dates in the diary are a running theme this week. It is important to look ahead and not go week-to-week.
Students and parents / carers, need to focus on the big picture, with assessments and exams always on the horizon.
One success from the first lockdown was the levels of engagement from students and how much learning was done at home.
They would do well to remember how disciplined they were at home during that period and that will help them going forward.
It has been shown children who do best attend regularly, take on board the teaching and advice and add to it with their learning away from school.
To help parents / carers know how their child is doing in terms of attendance, merits and academic progress, a new communication system with home will be introduced in the next few weeks. More on that in another blog.
