January Testing Arrangements

16 December 2021


10 December 2021

Dear Parent/Carer

As pre-empted in our correspondence last week, guidance from the central government around ‘Plan B’ means that all of our plans in school are now subject to rapid change. Whilst it would have been our preferred option to explore remote teaching during the week commencing 20 December to limit any potential in school transmission, the DfE have currently made it abundantly clear that all schools must provide face-to-face teaching right up until calendared end dates, which for us is Wednesday 22 December.

Whilst the DfE have insisted that attendance is compulsory, as a school we completely understand infection rates are rising rapidly and there is an air of uncertainty and fear about Christmas plans being adversely affected. Any students who are not in school that final week will not be disadvantaged as we will ensure all content from lessons is on Google Classroom.

We have decided that given the uncertainty around any future government plans, it is wise for us to move our scheduled Christmas jumper and dinner day forward from Tuesday 21 December to next Friday, 17 December. Students have been made aware and this now means that on Friday next week students will be able to wear a Christmas jumper/t-shirt/outfit instead of their school uniform, in exchange for a £1 cash donation.

We also promised in last week’s correspondence that we would share details of our asymptomatic testing schedule and the implications this has in terms of phased physical return to the school site for different year groups. Miss Heard will be in touch week commencing 13 December to provide specific times for test appointments but, so that you all have ample notice of the plans for your child’s education in the first week after Christmas, please see the details below:-

Year Group Monday 10 January Tuesday 11 January Wednesday 12 January Thursday 13 January
12/13 In-school testing – AM

Work provided for all lessons on Google Classroom

Face-to-face teaching in school Face-to-face teaching in school Face-to-face teaching in school
11 In-school testing – PM

Work provided for all lessons on Google Classroom

Please note that times may be different for those who have formal examinations on Monday/ Tuesday

Face-to-face teaching in school Face-to-face teaching in school Face-to-face teaching in school
10 All lessons live on Google Meet All lessons live on Google Meet In-school testing – AM

Work provided for all lessons on Google Classroom

Face-to-face teaching in school
9 All lessons live on Google Meet In-school testing – AM

Work provided for all lessons on Google Classroom

Face-to-face teaching in school Face-to-face teaching in school
8 All lessons live on Google Meet All lessons live on Google Meet In-school testing – PM

Work provided for all lessons on Google Classroom

Face-to-face teaching in school
7 All lessons live on Google Meet In-school testing – PM

Work provided for all lessons on Google Classroom

Face-to-face teaching in school Face-to-face teaching in school

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Achievement Leader or Assistant Achievement Leader.

Yours sincerely

Mr S Huntington and Mr M Jones
Executive Principal and Senior Vice Principal