Provision During Lockdown - 11/01/2021
Tuesday 5th January 2021
Dear Parents and Carers,
Re: Coronavirus update – school closure to most students January 2021
Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all members of the Newman family and our wider community a Happy New Year. I sincerely hope that you and your loved ones managed to enjoy the recent festive break despite the exceptionally difficult circumstances.
As you are aware, yesterday evening the Prime Minister announced a National Lockdown and stated that all Primary and Secondary children will learn remotely until February half term with the exception of vulnerable children and the children of critical workers.
Whilst further details with respect to specific arrangements for remote learning will follow ahead of the start of the Spring term on Monday 11th January, it is essential that provision for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers is planned and confirmed by Friday 8th January.
The college has 94 students classified as vulnerable children (either because they have an Education & Health Care Plan and/or a Social Worker) who are therefore entitled to attend on site provision. I will be writing to the parents and carers of these children separately and individually, later today to offer places and very importantly assess the demand for places. For those parents and carers to whom this applies, I would ask that you respond to the subsequent letter as soon as possible so that we can plan accordingly for the correct numbers of students on site.
In line with government expectations, the college is once again offering on site provision to those children of critical workers.
On Site Provision
Please be aware that students will be following the same curriculum as that of their peers who are learning remotely at home. This is likely to be a combination of live and/or recorded lessons and the completion of set assignments. Each child on site will be provided with a laptop and headphones in order for them to complete the work set by their class teachers, whilst supervised by support staff. For those of you whose children attended college during the initial lock down during 2020, you will appreciate that this will be a very different experience for your child. The changes are essential to the continuity of your child’s learning for this extended period following months of disruption.
Expectations of Students
Students eligible to attend on-site provision are expected to:
• attend Monday to Friday, from January 11th to February 12th
• arrive punctually between 8.30 and 8.55am each morning and remain in college until the end of the school day at 3.15pm
• bring a packed lunch including drinks for the day (water and still drinks only please and certainly no energy drinks)
• bring a clean face covering that must always be worn throughout the day (unless medically exempt from doing so) and uphold all COVID-19 safety measures
• wear full college uniform smartly
• demonstrate high standards of behaviour in line with the college behaviour for learning policy
• complete the remote learning activities set by their individual teachers to the very best of their ability.
Free School Meals
Please note that catering staff will not be on site and therefore a packed lunch is essential. Students are encouraged to bring a refillable water container to remain hydrated. Free school meal vouchers will be issued to the parents of eligible children to cover the cost of packed lunches. Details regarding how the voucher scheme will operate will be shared with parents/carers in due course.
Transport
Please note that as it stands at the moment, we are not expecting any of the school buses to be running and therefore transport to and from college will have to be arranged by yourselves. If we learn of any changes to this, we will update you as soon as possible.
Critical Worker Eligibility
If you think that your child, or children, are eligible for critical worker on site provision, then please do read the government guidance, available through the link below to check. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision
If after reading the section on Critical Workers within the guidance you believe that your child or children are eligible, and you wish to apply for a place/places then please open the link here {insert link} to complete the on-line application process. Please note that you will need to complete and submit a request for each individual child. It is essential that you provide the college with the required and accurate information in order to process your application fairly and without delay. All Forms must be completed and submitted no later than 10am on Thursday 7th January.