Dear Parents and Carers
I hope that you and your family are well and that you have managed to have an enjoyable and safe festive break.
As you may be aware, the Government announced on Wednesday, 30 December, that there would be further changes to the start of the new term for all secondary school students in England. The changes that the Government have announced are as follows:
Only vulnerable children and children of critical workers, who require in school provision, will return to school on Monday, 4 January.
Year 11 students will return to school on Monday, 11 January. However, from Monday, 4 January, remote education will be in place for all Year 11 students. The majority of lessons during w/b Monday, 4 January, will be live, via Google Meet and Year 11 students will follow their normal timetable. Each day will start at 8.45am with an online registration with form tutors. Teachers will communicate with students through Satchel One (Show My Homework) and through school emails. Please contact us as soon as possible if your child is unable to access these methods of communication.
All other students (Year 7-10) will return to school on Monday 18 January. However, from Monday, 11 January, remote education will be in place for all students in Years 7 to 10, as described above.
From Monday, 4 January, we will be working closely with the Local Authority and Public Health England and looking at how we will implement in-school testing of staff and students for COVID-19. This is an opportunity for schools to support the national effort with regular testing of staff and students to identify asymptomatic cases, informing parents quickly of results and preventing the spread of the virus.
In school testing, will also mean that staff and students who have been identified as a close contact with a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate, as they can receive a daily test in school. In line with government regulations, any close contact who chooses not to be tested will have to self-isolate in line with current guidance. Please be assured that no student will be tested without parental consent. I will write to you again, with further details about the in-school testing programme in the next few days.
If you are a critical worker, and you wish your child to access in-school provision from Monday, 4 January, please email: office@sharplesschool.co.uk. Please title your email ‘Critical Worker Provision’ and indicate your child’s name and form as well as stating your profession.
If your child is entitled to free school meals, we will continue to provide you with vouchers to cover the days when your child is not attending school.
I apologise for any inconvenience that these changes to the January arrangements may cause you.
However, I am sure that you will appreciate that the last minute announcement by the Government has necessitated this short timeframe. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Take care and stay safe.
Yours faithfully
Ann Webster
Headteacher
