As parents and carers I would also like to thank you for your support in helping to establish these new arrangements. The students are happy and are making some good suggestions for how we can make things even better. Already new footballs and table tennis balls have been provided for Year 7 students, new table tennis tables have been ordered for the Year 8 Zone in the Quadrangle Area of our school and an order for an additional 10 picnic benches has been placed with our Year 10 and Year 11 students in mind. Being based in the new expansive playground with access to the basketball courts and astro turf, these benches will provide some additional seating for the Key Stage 4 students sitting in their separate zones at lunchtime and break time.

Please be reassured that all students are being constantly reminded to avoid face to face conversations at a distance of less than 1 metre, to respect each others’ personal space and, for the most part, are achieving this. As a reminder any face to face conversation lasting longer than 15 minutes must be at a distance of 2 metres. As parents and carers do play your important part in reminding your children to adhere to these expectations both in and out of school. The distances and times meet the criteria for ‘close contact’ and will avoid groups of students having to self-isolate for 14 days if one of their peers unfortunately catches the virus.

We all want all students in school learning and achieving and being able to socialise with their peers in a safe Covid-secure environment, but we all have to play our part. No one wants to return to the challenges of remote learning, being distant from your superb teachers and learning assistants.

For your information year groups are being dismissed from their zones in a slightly staggered way at the end of break and lunchtime and an increased presence of senior and pastoral team staff are ensuring that students from different year groups keep apart when moving from their zones to their next lesson.