School closure effective 1.40pm Thursday 19th March 2020

Dear Parents and Carers
Further to my letter to you yesterday, the Government has announced that schools will close their doors this Friday until further notice. We all understand the reasons why this is necessary for infection control, but we do not underestimate how unsettling this is for all families, especially our Year 11 and 13 students who have also learned that they will not sit their exams in May and June.

We will await further guidance from the government as to what will happen regarding exams and we would ask that students try not to worry about 6th Form, college or university places at this stage. We have held assemblies with Year groups today to reassure the students and inform them of arrangements. We have also emphasised to our examination students the importance of staying motivated, focused and continuing with their excellent work ethic to study and prepare for exams, which may well be only moved on by a month or so. It is imperative that Year 11 and 13 students continue with all the work set whilst we wait to find out how they will be accredited.

It is with great regret that the school will be closed to students until further notice. An exception is for children of Key workers including:

• Medical, nursing and paramedic / ambulance staff
• Workers in Adult Social Care, Social Workers and Teachers
• Health Care Assistants and Administrators (in GP practices / Clinics)
• Childminders (Certificate of Registration will be required as evidence)
• Nursery Staff (Private, voluntary and independent)
• Fire and Police
• Supermarket delivery drivers

If you are a Key worker and a parent/carer with no other form of childcare during the school closure, please inform us by 1.00pm on Friday 20th March if you wish your child to be in school so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Please note that workplace IDs will be required to be produced as evidence; it is preferable that these are emailed as an attachment (a photo will suffice) or if you wish to come in person to school to present this, please ensure you do so by the end of the school day on Friday. Please of course do not come to the school in person if you have any symptoms of the virus... read more here.