Posted on: February 26th 2021

Return to School UPDATE 26.02.21

CHS

Dear Parent / Carer

I hope you and your families remain well.

I am writing to you with an update following my letter after the government’s announcement about the return to school for all secondary school pupils from Monday 8th March. We are currently preparing to welcome back all pupils on a phased return from this date. Further details of this will be sent out early next week to individual year groups. In line with DFE guidance this will prioritise examination year groups and vulnerable pupils. I know some of you will be disappointed that it is not everyone on the 8th March. However, the requirement to test 1,400 pupils and 158 staff will take substantial time, especially as health and safety will remain a priority during this time.

We are working to keep our school as safe as possible. You may have heard that testing for those without coronavirus symptoms (asymptomatic) is beginning across the country using new, quicker COVID-19 tests known as ‘lateral flow tests’.

Along with the other protective measures we are taking, these tests will help staff and pupils to remain in school safely. We have been carrying out this testing with staff and children of key workers very successfully since January. Testing is voluntary however, with the experience gained in the last seven weeks, we have found them to be both effective and easy to undertake, providing an extra level of reassurance for us at school and you at home. Testing lowers the risks at school and we would urge you to participate for the sake of the whole community. Testing is voluntary, and you and/or your child will need to give consent for it to be carried out.

Please complete as a matter of priority the consent form by clicking on the link: https://forms.gle/BUz1cXw1GguRuam1A

Pupils will ‘self-swab’ and will be supervised by trained staff. The ‘lateral flow’ tests are quick and easy using a swab of their nose and throat. Please remember to tell your child that you have given consent. Final arrangements and timings for testing are being organised and these will be sent out to you on Monday. However, so that you can plan ahead this chart will let you know the day your child will be tested. They will also receive a copy of their school timetable on this day and they must attend in full school uniform.

Date of Testing
Year 7 - period 1 and 2 on the 2nd and 3rd March
Year 13 - period 1 and 2 on the 4th March
Year 11 - period 3 to 5 on the 4th March and period 1 and 2 on the 5th March
Year 12 - period 3 and 4 on the 5th March
Year 10 - period 1 to 4 on the 8th March and period 1 and 2 on the 9th March
Year 8 - period 2 to 5 on the 9th March and period 1 and 2 on the 10th March
Year 9 - period 3 to 5 on the 10th March and the 11th March
A DAILY REMINDER WILL BE SENT

Full-Time Return to School Date	Year
Monday 8th March	Year 7, 11, 12 and 13
Wednesday 10th March	Year 10
Thursday 11th March	Year 8
Friday 12th March	Year 9
Monday 15th March	ALL YEARS in school 9.00am - 9.30am tutor time

Participating staff and pupils who test positive will be informed about their results individually. They will then have to isolate for 10 days. Where participants are under 16, parents or legal guardians will also be notified. Pupils whose test result is negative will not be informed individually. Only a positive test will require communicating.

It is the intention that once pupils have been tested 3 times in school, they will then be provided with a home test pack so that they may test themselves at home regularly.

Over the next two weeks, please take the time to prepare your child for a return to school. Your child will once again be expected to adhere to the strict protocols as before and our school remains in year group bubble zones.

You must ensure that your child has a suitable face covering for each day as this is compulsory, including during lessons and in communal areas. Please ensure that your child has a suitable face covering for each day which should be worn during lessons and in communal areas. We would recommend that you check your school uniform, shoes, and equipment.

As normal please do not send your child to school if they have any of the symptoms of Covid - a fever, a new continuous cough, and a loss of smell or taste. We would also add the wider symptoms reported recently on the BBC website (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/help-56096264) This includes headache, fatigue, sore throat, and diarrhoea. Even if not linked to Covid in all cases it would seem sensible to err on the side of caution at this time.

Over the coming fortnight, please do everything that you can to encourage your child to stay positive and focused on their remote learning. It has undoubtedly been a long stretch but the end is in sight.

If you have any questions, please contact us by emailing Heads of Year:

Year 7 – Miss A Taylor

Year 8 – Mr C Shove

Year 9 – Mr M Faulkner

Year 10 – Mr N Carroll

Year 11 – Mrs N Lewry and Mr J Boniface

I will also be holding a virtual ‘drop in' on Thursday 4th March at 4.0pm - 4.30pm should you care to join here is the link.

I very much look forward to welcoming everyone back to school very soon.

Yours faithfully