Dear Parents and Carers
As you will now be aware the Government announced yesterday that schools will remain closed until February half term. This is a very difficult time for all of us and I would like to thank you all for the support we have already received. There are a number of important updates for you:
Firstly, please note all lateral flow testing has now been suspended until further notice as pupils are not returning to school.
Hub Provision
School will remain closed for all pupils except those who are vulnerable and/ or those whose parents are critical/ key workers.
We will be running a hub provision for those who need to access it, if you require this provision then please book through our website. A member of staff will then contact you to confirm your key worker status.
External Exams this half term
At present all external exams (BTEC) planned for this half term will go ahead. Pupils should attend school for these exams as previously informed.
Remote Learning
Teachers have worked extremely hard since last March developing remote learning. All lessons will now be ‘live’ lessons that can be accessed via Microsoft Teams. Teachers will be fully aware who is accessing these lessons and so if your child does not attend lessons you will be contacted.
Mr Redhead has sent out detailed information about our remote learning provision.
Mock Exams / Public Exams (summer term)
Unfortunately, our Year 11 and 13 pupils cannot do their mock exams as planned in January. It is currently our intention to have mock exams on our return to school, provisionally in March.
The Government has announced that public external exams are unlikely to go ahead in their current form in summer and therefore it is absolutely essential that pupils in exam years attend all remote lessons and continue working extremely hard so that teachers can make accurate assessments about their work whilst we await further updates.
Pastoral Support
All staff, including tutors, learning mentors and Heads of Year are available via Edulink and Microsoft Teams should you or your child require any support. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
In a change from the last lockdown, we will ensure that the school office is manned during school hours, should you wish to call us.
Parents’ Evenings
We have parents’ evenings planned for this term, these will go ahead remotely as they did last term. Further information will follow in due course.
Year 9 Options
We are aware we would normally begin our options process at the start of this term. We are going to delay this until later in the term and will be in touch with details later in the term. Pupils in Year 9 should continue to work hard in all their subjects.
Year 11 Sixth Form Applications
Mrs Kar will contact pupils in Year 11 to offer them provisional places in our sixth form, depending on their results. Again, we will contact you with further information.
Catholic Ethos
Our Chaplain is available through Edulink and Microsoft Teams. He will provide weekly assemblies and prayers through Microsoft Teams too. We are aware our spiritual development is equally important at this time.
Can I once again thank you for your understanding and support at this unprecedented time. We miss our pupils and want nothing more than to teach them in school. However, while this option is not available to us we will do our utmost to offer the best education we can.
I will endeavour to update you as much as possible. Please make sure you check Edulink, emails, Facebook and our website regularly. In the meantime, please stay safe.
God bless
Emma Jackson
