Dear Parents/ Carers
As we settle into our new routines and systems for a safe return to school I would like once again to praise the pupils for their cooperation and patience. It is largely down to their mature attitudes and sensible behaviour that we are able to review the model and move to the second phase of our planned return to school plan by moving the school start time to 9:00am for Year 8 & 9 from Monday 28th September. Arrangements for Year 7, 10 & 11 pupils remain the same. All being well, we intend to replace the remote learning lesson currently in operation, for Year 8 & 9, during period 1 with your child’s timetabled lesson in school. They will continue to have staggered breaks and lunchtimes and their form time will remain at the end of the day finishing at 3:00pm in order for us to safely manage movement around school and limit crossover of bubbles. Further details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools
To allow us to facilitate this we ask that you support us in ensuring your child arrives promptly five minutes prior to the designated timeslot. Early arrivals will clash with the Year7, 10 and 11 bubble arrangements therefore we are keen to avoid crossover. Late arrivals will disrupt learning and discourage the good punctuality values we seek to instil in our pupils. Year 8 pupils will continue to arrive via the front entrance and Year 9 at the rear gate. Arrangements for Year 7, 10 & 11 pupils remain the same.
Pupils are required to line up in an orderly queue, single file, maintaining social distancing spacing and conduct themselves in a respectful and sensible manner. All pupils are reminded to take care when entering through the front car park ensuring they follow the designated pathways and crossings. Parents are advised that access to the car park will not be available during pupil entry and exit times for safety reasons.
As before, those pupils arriving on the Brinnington school bus will be accommodated within year group hubs on arrival.
Fortunately, we have not experienced the issues that other schools are having to deal with and all classes continue without interruption. We must not become complacent. Let’s all remind our young people of the safety guidance- Hands- wash more often for 20 seconds or sanitise regularly; Face- always wear a face covering when moving around inside the building; Space – as far as possible maintain a social distance of 2m.
I would like to reassure you that we are working very hard to minimise the impact of the COVID lockdown on learning by adapting schemes of work where necessary and providing additional support to ensure that vital skills, knowledge and understanding are quickly incorporated into current learning. This is why it is vital that children are here to learn every day. Our systems are tight and follow or exceed all national and local guidance. Issues that have been brought to our attention are quickly dealt with and we continue to be vigilant. We now have in place a very workable balance between safety and education.
Year 11 pupils have important pre-public examinations very soon and it is worth reminding ourselves that the pupils who left this year were awarded final grades based, to a large extent, on these in-school tests and the progress they make throughout the year. Whilst none of us know what the future will hold we must be cautious, plan for every eventuality, and ensure we do all we can to safeguard our pupils’ successful futures by supporting school attendance, punctuality and full engagement in learning whether that is in school or online learning.
If you have any questions or comments relating to this, or any other matter please do not hesitate to contact us at admin@reddish.stockport.sch.uk.
Yours faithfully,
Linda Hanson
Headteacher