School Update: Friday 10 January 2025

Dear Parents/Carers and Students

Today has been fantastic. Our students have been wonderful throughout and have left us this afternoon very much wanting us to remain open again tomorrow. Their behaviour, attitude to learning and maturity has been really humbling at times, and I have learned so much from them this week that I am grateful for. They value their education, the time spent in school, their teachers, their friendships and the routines that school provides. 

I am determined to open again tomorrow, Friday 10 January 2025 and have made the necessary preparations to do so from early morning. Continuing with the later start will allow us to ensure the site remains safe for all. Because there is some meltwater from the sun today, that will inevitably freeze tonight, we have two gritting sessions booked at 4:00am and 7.30am with planned site walkthroughs at 5.30am/6.30am and 8.00am. I will be onsite for each walk through so that I can continue to make a well informed decision and let you know as close to 8.30am as possible.

We intend to open tomorrow from 11:00am with students going to Period 3 at 11.20am. As has been the case this week, if some need to get here earlier then they must use the main entrance. I know from a few of you that this has really helped. We will finish at the normal time of 3:00pm and all after school activities and Period 6 lessons will be cancelled to allow all students and staff to get home safely and in daylight.

For our sixth form students taking exams, they have been told to arrive at school for 9am with the pre-exam session planned for 9.30am followed by the exam itself at 9.45am.

Temperatures over the weekend are due to rise and I am hopeful that we can revert back to a normal school day from Monday morning. I will, of course, write to you at some point tomorrow regarding that.

Take care and thank you for the incredible number of messages of support received over the past couple of days. They mean a great deal to us.

Mr Wade, Headteacher