COVID-19 Guidance, Support and Updates
This page is dedicated to updates and information regarding the school response to Covid-19, in line with the Government guidance. Please use the menu for parent information, risk assessments, local guidelines and wellbeing support.
Updates can also be found on our Latest News and Events page, and are also published regularly on our school social media pages.
5th January 2021
Dear Parents/Carers
Happy New Year, I do hope that you have had a good break in spite of the difficult Coronavirus situation. I am writing to set out revised plans for this half term in the light of the Prime Ministers announcement on the 4th January 2021 for the country to go into lockdown.
As you will be aware this means schools will close until February half term, in the first instance and remote learning reinstated during this period. We apologise for the inconvenience the school closure causes to pupils, parents, carers and staff, however this is beyond our control.
Remote learning lessons will resume on the first day of term, Monday 11th January at 10:00am for all pupils. The delayed start will allow for a staff briefing session first thing. Pupils will follow their school timetabled lessons at the usual times starting on a blue week. Pupils can access learning via Google Classrooms using the same platform as previously. Lessons will be delivered in a range of formats, as appropriate, including some live sessions. It is essential your child engages with learning expectations. Further guidance on remote learning is attached in our Home learning letter for parents and carers. Registers will be taken and absences or disengagement followed up in the same way as if pupils were in the building. Laptops and work packs are available for those identified as requiring support. Please contact your child’s Head of Year should you have any concerns.
Vulnerable Children and Key workers: We recognise that some parents, particularly critical workers, will not be able to supervise their children at home during the period of remote learning. Provision is available for these children to study in school. If you meet the criteria and require a place for your child to come into school, then please email Mr Perry on a.perry@reddish.stockport.sch.uk by a deadline of 3pm on Wednesday 6th January 2021, so we can make arrangements accordingly. There will be a rota of staff in school only to cover this agreed number. It is particularly important that pupils returning to school continue to wear a suitable mask and adhere to social distancing measures. COVID Testing will take place on Monday morning from 10:00am for those pupils attending school, please complete the consent form in advance.
FSM: Free school Meal vouchers will continue to be distributed to eligible families.
Exams: The latest information is that most national examinations for Year 11 students this summer will not take place in the usual format, although further details are to follow in due course. Therefore, work completed in school, in remote lessons and in future assessments will contribute to awarding students’ grades. This will be a rigorous process and grades will be awarded by School Centres on merit. In other words, they will be based on the quality of continued work this year, including work completed from tomorrow. BTEC and Cambridge Nationals planned for the forthcoming weeks, are currently scheduled to take place as planned, Year 11 students affected by this should prepare. We have taken the decision to postpone the Year 10 OCR Sport exam scheduled for Monday 11th January until later in the year. If this changes, further details will be sent as soon as we have them.
Parents Evening Yr10: The planned parents evening for the first week of term is postponed until the 21st January 2021 and will continue via school cloud. Further details regarding this will be distributed shortly.
Testing and Consent: In line with government guidance, the school has developed a testing facility to allow pupils and staff to be tested for COVID 19 when they return to school and regularly thereafter. The ‘lateral flow’ testing is voluntary but does require a consent form to be completed by parents of pupils who are under 16. In order for us to plan ahead, we would appreciate parents reading the Privacy Notice Testing January 2021 and completing the consent form using this Covid Test Consent Form in advance to confirm consent for your child to be tested when it is safe to return to school. A separate form is required for each of your children. .
If any pupils show possible symptoms of Coronavirus: a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to the sense of smell or taste, then they should isolate and be tested for Coronavirus at a testing centre away from school. If the test is positive then I would be grateful if you would notify the school via the COVID email. covid@reddish.stockport.sch.uk
Should you have any queries please email us at admin@reddish.stockport.sch.uk.
This is a very difficult time for all students, their families and our staff but it is clear that the virus and its new strain are rising to dangerous levels. We must all play our part to STAY AT HOME, PROTECT THE NHS and help to SAVE LIVES, as we await the rollout of the vaccine.
Take care and stay safe
Best wishes,
Linda Hanson