19th January 2022
Covid-19 Update
Dear Parents/Carers
Covid-19 Update
Apologies for the intrusion into your evening. Some updated guidance has emerged today about the wearing of face coverings in schools and I wanted to share it with you as soon as possible.
The government has today announced that measures in place under Plan B will be lifted over the coming week, and there are two changes specifically for schools.
From tomorrow (20th January), face coverings will no longer be advised for staff or pupils in secondary school classrooms
From next Thursday (27th January), face coverings will no longer be advised for staff and pupils in communal areas of secondary schools, nor for staff in communal areas of primaries. Directors of Public Health will only be able to recommend pupils and staff wear masks in communal areas in places where there are outbreaks or where the local public health situation justifies it, and with sign-off from the Education Secretary
I wanted you to be aware of this and to let your children know that we will no longer be insisting on them complying with our request to wear a face covering in lessons. Indeed, given the superb levels of compliance from our students over recent weeks, I very much want to comply with the guidance from tomorrow. I hope you agree.
We will continue to ask them to wear face coverings on corridors and in communal areas until Thursday next week as per the guidance.
We have tried very hard to keep our school community safe throughout this pandemic and have always sought to follow the guidance alongside extremely robust risk assessments. For the most part I believe we have been successful and your support throughout has been invaluable.
I would also like to make clear that any member of staff or student who would prefer to continue to wear a face covering will be allowed to do so. That is very much about personal preference and that will always be respected.
As always, if you wish to speak to me about this please let me know and I will do my very best to call you if that would be beneficial.
Enjoy your evening and thank you once again for your continued support.
Best wishes
Simon Wade
Headteacher
