October Half Term Letter

Half term break

As we move into the half term break, I thought I would write this letter to you to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to keep our school community safe.

Last week, the government moved Blackpool as part of Lancashire into Tier 3 as an area of Very High risk relating to Covid – 19.  In addition, the government then advised schools and colleges that face masks are now compulsory in communal areas and corridors.  I have tried to avoid this until now but with the increasing risk of infection, it is a measure I have been forced to implement.  I would like to thank you all as following my text message to all families on Monday 19^th October, informing you of this, the young people have responded perfectly.  We have not had any issues of any young person refusing to wear them and I genuinely feel that we all feel that little bit safer.

My colleague said to me this week that, “Covid has arrived,” and I could not agree more.  All of us will know someone, in our families or in our wider social circles, who has been affected.  Please can you all follow the guidelines given, as we all have a duty to look after each other:

HANDS, FACE, SPACE

• WASH HANDS REQUENTLY
• WEAR FACE MASKS
• KEEP A SAFE SPACE

In addition, in line with new guidance as part of Tier 3:

• You must not meet socially with friends and family indoors, unless they are part of your household bubble.  This includes homes, gardens and other places and public venues
• You may continue to see friends and family you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with  in groups of 6), which includes children of any age
• Meeting in larger groups is AGAINST THE LAW.

Following the return to school after the summer, we introduced a ‘bubble’ system of classes, which allowed for groups of young people to stay in their form group with the learning delivered by their form tutor.  We were hoping to begin to open these up, by allowing subject specialist staff to deliver in the core subject areas.  However, in light of the escalating risk, we will be remaining with the bubble system for the first few weeks after half term but we will be reviewing this decision regularly.  I want to reassure you that our specialist teachers of maths, English and science are meticulously planning the learning which the teachers are delivering.  The work is appropriately differentiated to the needs of our learners, who have told us that they are really enjoying this way of working.

This bubble system is proving to be a really positive experience and it has been wonderful to see the improved relationships within the form groups.  We have also noticed that it is having a positive impact on behaviour and engagement in learning.  Can I also ask you to encourage your child to access our learning platform through Google classroom, as there are a wealth of resources and activities which will help with learning and their emotional well-being.

However, can we please be remind you that we still need your support in a number of areas.  We are trying to discourage the use of public transport but if your child does have to use this as a method of travel to school, please be aware, that as of the 15.6.20, all those using this method must use a face mask.  Please send children in their school uniform.

We are asking you and your child, along with our staff, to commit to helping us achieve a safe environment for everyone, which may involve us working together slightly differently.  If for any reason your child needs to self-isolate, then please let us know if we can support in any way at all.

To enable us to reduce the risk of our young people mixing together before and after school and maintain the ‘bubbles’, we will be continuing with the staggered start and finish times.  These are detailed in the table below:

School reopens on Monday 2^nd November 2020

*If your child is on a progression plan, centre staff will be in contact next week to discuss start time and hours.

The majority of young people are behaving really well but I would like to remind you of the agreements that you signed on return to school in September, which remain in place.  This agreement is at the bottom of this letter.

Finally, if we can support you in any other way or you would like to discuss anything within this letter, please do not hesitate in contacting either myself or your Lead Teachers.

Yours faithfully,

Wendy Casson

Headteacher

It is important as Educational Diversity remains open during the Covid-19 pandemic, that everyone in school is able to be kept safe.  For this to happen, it is important that students, parents / carers and staff agree to support each other by following the government guidelines on protective measures, including:

• social distancing
• good hygiene

To achieve this, we respectfully ask every student and parent / carer to read and agree to the following:

Everything stated below is in line with our Expectations and Values: 

Be Respectful         Be Safe        Be Ready