Restricted attendance during the national lockdown

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 18^th 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