Dear Parents/ Carers
I would like to start this letter by thanking you for your support throughout the last three months. It has been a difficult and unprecedented time for us all, but we have really pulled together as a school community. I would also like to thank you for all your hard work with home learning. It is our intention that all of the home learning work will remain on OneNote and Microsoft Teams until the end of August. This will allow some catch up time or revision time should pupils wish to use it. Whilst there will be no extra work set on these platforms over summer, some departments will put together revision material for Year 10 and Year 12 pupils which will be available online and which will aim to help improve their position as they start in Year 11 and Year 13 respectively.
It is the Government’s intention that pupils will sit GCSEs and A Levels next year and although there may be some adaptations, pupils will need to prepare for public examinations in the same way they always have done.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming back all pupils in September. The Government has issued a range of detailed guidance that we need to consider in drawing up our plans for September. We will publish our updated risk assessment in August, following consultation with staff and teaching unions. These arrangements are similar to those in other schools in West Cumbria. We will also consider further updates and changes to government guidance, including a government review of the COVID-19 data on 11th August.
There are some changes to our term dates. Pupils in Years 7, 10 and 12 will start school on Thursday, 3rd September and pupils in all other year groups on Friday, 4th September. This is a phased return to allow Year 7 pupils to familiarise themselves with the building and routines. It will also allow pupils in Years 10 and 12 to embark on their GCSE and A Level courses.
It is our anticipation that the school will be fully operational in September. We will expect all pupils to be in full school uniform in line with our Uniform Policy. Where pupils travel by bus, we expect them to follow the strict instructions issued by the Bus Operator or the Local Authority and this may include wearing a suitable face covering. Public Health England does not recommend the use of face coverings in schools.
Finally, I would like to inform you of the arrangements for the distribution of GCSE and A Level Examination results. Results will be emailed to pupils at their school email address from 8am on Thursday, 13th and 20th August as follows:
- A Level results will be emailed on Thursday, 13th August – pupils who wish to come into school to discuss their next steps and destinations will be given opportunity to do so.
- GCSE results will be emailed on Thursday, 20th August – pupils who wish to progress to our Sixth Form will be given an appointment to attend a face to face consultation to discuss entry requirements on Thursday, 20th August (details to follow).
I hope we have given you the assurance that we are taking the situation very seriously. It is extremely important for us to get all of our pupils back into school, learning and growing up together. However, it is also essential that we do this as safely as we can.
Thank you for your patience, support and understanding, it is very much valued.
I hope that you and your family have an enjoyable and safe summer.
God bless
Emma Jackson
Head Teacher
