Important Information on Face Coverings

By J Ranson27th August 2020
No doubt you will have heard that the government have published updated guidance on the use of face coverings in schools, following the World Health Organisation’s advice  that “children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults, in particular when they cannot guarantee at least a 1-metre distance from others.”

In addition to the implementation of a system of control, the details of which can be found in our COVID Risk Assessment, schools now have the discretion to require face coverings in communal areas if they believe that it is right in their particular circumstances, for example, where there is no possibility of maintaining social distancing. 

The layout of our school estate makes it particularly difficult to maintain social distancing when staff and pupils are moving around the premises, and therefore we will require students and staff to wear face coverings whilst moving around the school. 

It will not be necessary to wear face coverings in the classroom, where protective measures already mean the risks are lower, and where they could inhibit learning.

It is vital that face coverings are worn correctly and so we are providing clear instructions on how to put on, remove, store and dispose of face coverings. 

Parents and carers are encouraged to visit the September 2020 Back to School information on our website with their children to remind them of some of the other changes we have put in place. The government also has information and practical guidance to help parents and carers plan for their children’s return to school at gov.uk/backtoschool. This includes latest updates to the guidance for parents and carers on what they need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges in the autumn term.  
 
M. Snape
Headteacher

September 2020: Back to School

By J Ranson27th August 2020

Our homepage now includes a SEPTEMBER 2020: BACK TO SCHOOL button in the top right corner.

By clicking it you will find important links about returning to school in September. This includes the ‘Back to School Protocol’ below and a video message from Mr Snape. It is very important that you are familiar with all of the information here.

Keep checking this page regularly for any changes or additions and we look forward to seeing you in September!

https://cdn.realsmart.co.uk/ac964574086e5480e4c7c68968bc1ec0/uploads/2020/07/15144010/September-2020_-Back-to-School-Protocol-.pdf

Video message from Mr Snape:

Congratulations Class of 2020!

By J Ranson20th August 2020

Congratulations to all our Year 11 students who received their GCSE grades today. It was great to see everybody in school this morning as students and staff celebrated all of their hard work.

There was a lovely positive atmosphere and the sense of trust and confidence that the students had in their teachers and their judgements was clear to see. It has been a privilege to have all of the Class of 2020 with us over the past 5 years, and we are very pleased to have been able to see them enjoying the grades they have worked so hard for, and are so well deserved. We are all very proud of them and what they have achieved.

We wish all our students all the best for their next steps in education or apprenticeship, and we look forward to seeing them all again at our celebration event, hopefully at some point in the Autumn term.

Mr Snape

GCSE Update

By J Ranson17th August 2020
Since I wrote this morning, we have now heard the Government’s announcement to use Centre Assessment Grades for this year’s A levels and GCSEs. On Thursday, therefore, students will receive their Centre Assessed Grades, as I outlined in this morning’s statement, but will not receive any grade generated by OFQUAL’s algorithm.
We welcome this as the swiftest and most effective means of remedying the current situation around exam grading, without overburdening school leaders as they prepare for September re-opening.
This change brings England’s student’s in line with those under devolved governments in the rest of the UK, ensuring that England’s students are not disadvantaged by a disparity in results. It also ensures that going forward, the detrimental impact of the adjustments made by Ofqual’s algorithm on students, especially the most disadvantaged, is mitigated.
We look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday.
M. Snape

Transition Update: Welcome to Year 7!

By J Ranson16th July 2020

We are delighted to share with you this new Transition video, introducing our form tutors for the 2020/21 academic year:

If you are a parent/carer of a Year 7 student next year, you should receive a letter by the end of this week indicating which form class your child will be in next year.

The letter is posted below, and also outlines all transition resources available on our website (including more introductory videos like this one), details about our return to school in September 2020 in line with national guidelines, and contact details if you wish to get in touch with us. This has also been added to our Transition Welcome Pack on the specially dedicated section of our website, along with other letters and important information.

Selfcare Summer

By J Ranson15th July 2020

Here is a great self help resource from Anna Freud to be used specifically over the summer, containing some useful strategies to improve your physical, emotional and social wellbeing.

https://cdn.realsmart.co.uk/ac964574086e5480e4c7c68968bc1ec0/uploads/2020/07/15093554/final-selfcaresummer-secondary.pdf

Love of Sport: Day 5 – Final Day!

By J Ranson10th July 2020

Today marks the final day of our Love of Sport event, replacing our normal Sports Day with week-long online challenges to keep you active. Every day this week we have been posting video messages from British sports stars to keep our students motivated.

Today, it’s “good luck” messages from Sophie Hitchon, Emily Williams and Sam Brereton!

Keep sending your photos and videos in to the PE department and we look forward to seeing how you have enjoyed your virtual Sports Week!

Love of Sport: Day 4

By J Ranson9th July 2020

All this week, we are encouraging students to take part in our Love of Sport event, replacing our normal Sports Day with week-long online challenges. To keep you motivated, every day this week we have been posting video messages from British sports stars.

Today, it’s international heptathlete and hurlder Jenna Blundell, long jumper and decathlete Theo Adesina and Olympic hurdler Seb Rodger…