Dear Parent,
This week’s Update is dedicated to the good news that we will reopen in full for the beginning of the new academic year.
September Opening
The wait is over! We have now received the government’s guidance on the full reopening of schools in September. There is an acknowledgement throughout the document that whilst the government can advise and guide school leaders, one size does not fit all and what may be appropriate and possible in a small rural primary school is not possible in a large secondary such as St Christopher’s. As well as absorbing the guidance we have also been exploring a range of approaches being adopted by other schools, both nationally and internationally. Our detailed plans are very nearly there and these will be shared next week although I am able to confirm:
Autumn Term
School will reopen to all pupils at the beginning of September. Attendance will be compulsory, as it was prior to our enforced closure in March. Please contact the appropriate head of year if there is anything you would like to discuss about your child’s return to school.
Pupils in Year 7, Year 10 and Year 12 will start with us on Wednesday 2nd September, joined by years 8, 9 and 13 on the following day, and the full school population attending from Friday 4th September.
School Uniform
Full school uniform will be required. We are mindful of the need for school clothes to be cleaned regularly and with the school blazer and tie both made from Easy Care fabric they can easily be washed as part of a weekly cycle. We anticipate that more pupils will spend time outside during break and lunchtime and so an outdoor coat (plain navy-blue or black coat with no large logos or badges) will be essential wear.
Year Group Organisation
Once in school pupils will be required to hand wash or apply sanitiser at regular intervals. Each year group will be treated as a discrete ‘bubble’ with teaching classes as smaller bubbles within the year. Where possible pupil year groups will be taught in separate teaching areas and will access zoned areas for break and lunch.
School Transport
Pupils are encouraged to walk or cycle to school wherever possible however we do understand that for many student this is impractical if not impossible. Government guidance is clear in distinguishing between public transport and school dedicated transport. There is no requirement for social distancing on school buses with risk reduced through regular hand washing, vehicle cleaning, organised boarding, and the use of face masks. We are consulting with LCC on this matter and are awaiting further information from them.
You will have questions and possibly concerns. Please contact me via School Synergy so that I can respond and use next week’s Update as an opportunity to address these issues in good time and provide you with final arrangements before the beginning of the summer break.
Until next week, the last week of the school year.
RD Jones
Headmaster
P.S. The Prime Minister is going to address all school leavers this Friday (10th July) at 10am. This broadcast will be available via Facebook and You Tube and will I am sure be covered across usual news platforms.