Start Dates for Year Groups and Lateral Flow Testing

In line with national guidance, there is no need for students to continue with Lateral Flow testing over the Summer holidays.  Individuals who want to continue testing for their own reassurance can access testing through https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or any local pharmacy.

You may be aware that in September, schools have been asked to test secondary age students twice on their return to school, with each test being three or four days apart, using a new Lateral Flow Device (LFD).  As the school does not have the capacity to test all of the students in one day, the beginning of term will be staggered to accommodate the testing requirements as follows:

Date	Year Groups In School	Lateral Flow Testing
Monday 6 September	Years 7 and 12	Years 7 and 12 First Test
Tuesday 7 September	Years 7, 10, 11, 12 and 13	Years 10, 11, 13 First Test
Wednesday 8 September	All Year Groups in school (Years 8 and 9 – first day)	Years 8 and 9 First Test
Thursday 9 September	All Year Groups in school	Years 7 and 12 Second Test
Friday 10 September	All Year Groups in school	Years 10, 11, 13 Second Test
Monday 13 September	All Year Groups in school	Years 8 and 9 Second Test

Generic work (English, Maths, Science and PSHE) for Years 8 and 9 will be posted on the school website for students to complete at home because they will not be returning to school until Wednesday 8 September 2021.

New School Day

Whilst the current times for the start and finish of the school day will remain the same from September, we will be extending the morning registration on a Monday by 10 minutes until 9.10 am to allow for catch-up teaching to be delivered to students.  The time allocated to breaktimes will reduce by five minutes accordingly, so that the end of the College Day will remain the same.

	Start (Mondays)	End (Mondays)	Start (Tuesday – Friday)	End (Tuesday – Friday)
Registration	8.45 am	9.10 am	8.45 am	9.00 am
Lesson 1	9.10 am	10.00 am	9.00 am	9.50 am
Lesson 2	10.00 am	10.50 am	9.50 am	10.40 am
Lesson 3	10.50 am	11.40 am	10.40 am	11.30 am
Key Stage 3 Lunch Key Stage 4/5 Break	11.40 am	12.10 pm	11.30 am	12.05 pm
Lesson 4	12.10 pm	1.00 pm	12.05 pm	12.55 pm
Key Stage 3 Break Key Stage 4/5 Lunch	1.00 pm	1.30 pm	12.55 pm	1.30 pm
Lesson 5	1.30 pm	2.20 pm	1.30 pm	2.20 pm
Lesson 6	2.20 pm	3.10 pm	2.20 pm	3.10 pm

New Form Groups

In light of the changes to the registration time detailed above, and to allow for bespoke catch-up teaching to take place, your child may be changing Form Groups from September.  They will be advised of their new Form Group on the last day of term, during registration.  The new Form Groups are being designed to maximise the catch-up work and therefore do not necessarily reflect friendship groups.

Face Masks

Students will not be required to wear face masks when they return in September and will not be required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact.  In this event, the NHS who will be managing the track and trace procedure will offer advice directly.

And Finally…

I would like to conclude by thanking all parents and students for their support of the College over this most challenging of years.  We are aware that the situation nationally is still very much uncertain in terms of the Pandemic, and we will adjust as usual to the national guidance at the time.  We certainly hope, however, for a smoother academic year than the one just past, with a more increased focus on outstanding teaching, learning and extra-curricular activities which is what the College is renowned for.

May I wish you all the very best for a restful, safe and healthy Summer and I look forward to my continued partnership with everyone in September.  I will write to you again towards the end of August with further updates on the new year arrangements.

Kind regards

MR J OAKLEY

Head of College from September 2021