Ensuring
Excellence
Dear
Parent/Carer,
Following
our receipt of updated government guidance for restricted attendance
during the current national lockdown, please note our updated plans for this period.
Our updated
risk assessment and plan has been approved by our trust and these documents can
be accessed using the links below.
Further to
this please note the following key information regarding the start of the new
school year:
In school provision for
Critical worker & Vulnerable children only
Critical Workers/Vulnerable
pupils in all year groups to attend school and work in year group bubble bases.
Key worker children: The
school has already liaised with the parents and carers of key worker children
in all year groups. Parents and carers who have registered will continue to be
accommodated in the Year base bubbles, following the remote provision in place for
years 7-11, supported by pastoral and subject staff.
Vulnerable students: The
parents and carers of vulnerable students in all year groups have been
contacted directly to make arrangements for the rest of this half term. Again, these students will continue to be accommodated in the Year base
bubbles, following the remote provision in place for years 7-11, supported by
pastoral and subject staff.
All pupils attending school
should arrive at their usual staggered start times and usual allocated
entrance.
Testing
Our plans for the roll out of
COVID 19 testing for staff and pupils are being modified in line with the most
recent government guidance. Our plans are to commence the coronavirus
(COVID-19) testing programme within the next 2 weeks, to enable weekly testing
for staff and daily testing for any staff and pupils attending school who are
identified as a close contact to a confirmed case. This programme also allows
schools to test all pupils on their eventual return to school. In all cases we
will need to secure your consent to carry out these tests. I can also inform
you that although your consent to testing is strongly encouraged, it is not
compulsory. Therefore, a student’s attendance to school is not conditional on
the completion of a COVID 19 test. However, if a student is identified as a
possible close contact to a confirmed case and a test is refused, they will
subsequently need to self-isolate in line with government guidance.
Remote learning
During this half term, remote
learning provision will be in place for all year groups, in line with the
information already provided. Our remote learning provision is now fully online
and we have been working with families towards ensuring that all students are
able to access this provision.
The majority of queries/questions
regarding remote learning can be found by using the ‘Home Learning Tab’ on our
web site. However, If access to a suitable device at home remains a problem or
you have any other issues with our remote learning provision please contact the
school at langley.homelearning@taw.org.uk
Year 11- Following recent
government announcements relating to Summer exams, we still await specific
guidance from Ofqual and the exam boards relating to any changes to GCSE
accreditation. It is vital that whatever the guidance may be that students
continue to engage fully in the course content for each of their subjects
including any internal assessment and mock exams in the future as these will no
doubt be vital to whatever guidance is issued.
Also, with respect to Vocational
Examinations such as BTEC, VCERT and CNAT we will ensure that we will keep you
fully informed regarding all developments as they occur.
Pastoral Support-Whilst in
school a large number of pupils rely on our pastoral care and support
mechanisms. If pupils or parents/carers would like to access any additional
support centred around wellbeing and mental health, please email langleypastoralsupport@taw.org.uk.
Free School Meals- Critical
worker & Vulnerable children attending school, who are entitled to FSM,
will continue to receive a free meal as usual. Also, as you are aware, we have
been providing vouchers for students eligible for FSM who have not been able to
attend school due to COVID 19. During this period of national lockdown we
will continue to provide vouchers to eligible students, using the system
already in place, these will be issued fortnightly and the next vouchers are
due 18th January.
Finally, I
would like to thank all parents, carers, staff and the students for the
incredible resilience that has been shown by our community throughout this
unprecedented time.
Continued thanks for your ongoing support.
Kind regards
Steve Carter
Headteacher
Links
Jan 21 Restricted Attendance Plan
Jan 21 Restricted Attendance Risk Assessment
General Mental Health Support for Young People and their Parents
Covid 19 Pastoral and Behaviour Systems - Parents Guide
Attendance Statement for September 2020