Covid-19 Response - Further Information
A lot of information has been sent home via email over the last few weeks and months and so we thought it would be helpful to collate everything here. All letters home can be found in the 'Parents' section of the website.
Online learning
Every student should be accessing their Google Classrooms daily. Work will be set and handed in for feedback via Google Classroom. All students are actively encouraged to make full use of the 'stream' facility to engage in discussion and to ask questions. Form Tutors have been making contact with home and Heads of Year are in regular contact with students via their weekly wellbeing emails and as a result of feedback from class teachers. Every student is enrolled in a tutor group Google Classroom where they can engage with our regular pastoral activities such as Votes for Schools and Thought for the Week.
Helpful learning websites can be found in the 'Learning Resources' area (under 'Students') on our website. We also subscribe to GCSEPod as well as a variety of other e-learning packages. For support in accessing these, students are encouraged to contact the relevant class teacher or their Form Tutor.
Limited reopening for Year 10 and Year 12 students
A very thorough risk assessment for the wider reopening was created by our NEBOSH trained Health and Safety lead. This was endorsed by both our external IOSH Health and Safety consultant and our Board of Trustees. A range of control measures have been implemented to accomodate social distancing and national guidance.
Year 12 students have been grouped into small 'social bubbles' and they have been offered one afternoon with each of their subject teachers.
Groups of Year 10 students will be invited into school for face to face sessions to support their wellbeing and to engage with them regarding our online learning programme. We would very much like to see all Year 10 students at some stage throughout the summer term and we have made provision to allow for this.
Due to current social distancing requirements, we can only accommodate up to 6 students in our classrooms at any time. A considerable effort has been undertaken in order to remove excess furniture and repurpose our classrooms in line with guidance from the Department for Education and Public Health England. The short video clip below gives a broad overview of the arrangements that have been put in place.
In addition to the above arrangements, we will now be conducting contactless temperature scans. Students will walk up to the scanning device and their temperature will be relayed back to them. A notification is given for those whose temperature is at or above 37.8 degrees as they are likely to be developing a fever.
Supervision of Children of Key Workers
Since the beginning of lockdown, we continue to offer provision for children of key workers. Families are required to pre-book places by completing this form. Further information will then be sent home once a place has been awarded.
Reopening in September
The Department for Education are yet to issue national guidance to schools for September; further information has been promised by the beginning of July. As soon as this information has been received, we will communicate with all families as a matter of urgency.
Year 6 Transition
For the last 6 weeks we have been working with families of Year 6 and Feeder Primary Schools to provide as much remote support as possible. We have created weekly newsletters and virtual tours - a selection can be accessed below:
In addition, we will be holding a virtual meeting for all families where they will have the opportunity to meet the Headteacher and Year 7 Pastoral leaders. There will then be further virtual meetings for each tutor group where students can meet their new form tutor and classmates. All of these events will be held in July and further information has been emailed home.
Supporting Wellbeing
As mentioned, Heads of Year send weekly wellbeing emails to their Year groups. We have been collating a list of helpful websites and further resources which is available in the file below.
Barnet Council Covid-19 information: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-information-and-advice
Child Bereavement UK, Winston’s Wish, Hope Again and Grief Encounter all have useful information.
Message from the Headteacher
Further DfE information
- Changes to schools and education during the coronavirus outbreak
- Supporting your children’s education during coronavirus (COVID-19)