Dear Parents and Carers,

We have reached the end of another week and, once again, I’m delighted to be able to tell you it has been wonderful to visit lessons and see students working exceptionally hard.  As I said last week, our absolute priority this year is to focus fully on educational recovery and getting back to what we do best: providing a fantastic education, rich with extra-curricular opportunities, and underpinned by great support for all of our students.  

Can I extend my thanks to you for all of your support in helping us to have such a fantastic start to the year.

Adjustment to uniform expectations on PE Days

Following some feedback and questions from students, we have adapted our expectations when students have PE.  Effective immediately, students are required to wear a blazer with their PE kit on days when they have PE.  They then change out of the blazer at the start of their PE lesson and put it back at the end.  Students told us that this would mean that they would have an alternative dry top to wear if on PE days.  

COVID Vaccinations for 12-15 year olds

Following advice from the Chief Medical Officer, the Government has taken the decision to offer one dose of the COVID vaccine to young people aged between 12 and 15.  This is not mandatory and the decision to receive a jab is one based on consent.  You can read the Government guidance here .  As with all vaccinations for school age children, this programme will be delivered by the School Age Immunisation Service (SAIS).  At this stage, I have not been contacted regarding specific arrangements for the commencement of vaccinations here at the Academy.  As you would expect, once I have that information I will contact parents and carers again.

Change to the COVID rules

A reminder that since August, a child under the age of 18 years, has not been required to self-isolate if someone in their home has tested positive for COVID-19.  Equally, unless someone has COVID symptoms, they are not required to isolate if they take a PCR because they have been in contact with someone who is positive.  You can read the latest guidance: here.

We strongly advise all young people to test twice a week using the lateral flow tests we have provided.

Meet the Headteacher Event

The first one of these is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 21st September and is now full.  Thank you to those parents and carers who have booked appointments, I very much look forward to meeting you.  There is clearly a demand for these kinds of events and more dates will be released in the coming weeks.  It’s a great opportunity for me to speak directly with parents and carers to understand your views about the Academy.

Academy Open Evening

This is taking place next Thursday (23rd September).  As always the academy will close at 2:30 so that we can prepare for the event.  If you need your child to stay on site until 3:20, please can you let us know.  

Suspicious Cars

I have been made aware of a very small number of incidents in the area where cars have approached young people, and in one case, where someone has tried to get a child into a vehicle.  Clearly this is very distressing for the young person involved.  Can I ask that you impress upon your child the need to be careful, walk with friends where possible, and to report anything suspicious to the police immediately.  

Extra-Curricular Clubs & Activities

I am delighted that we can return to offering a wide extra-curricular programme this year.  Miss Hazell (Extra Curricular & Cultural Capital Leader) is working hard to put together the timetable ready to share with students next week.  Taking part in extracurricular activities is one of the real joys of school life, often helping students to forge friendships and make memories that will last long after they have left school.  We will be actively seeking maximum participation from all of our students and I would ask you to encourage your child to look at what’s on offer and get involved.  

I wish you and your family a restful weekend.

Yours faithfully,