26th February 2021

Dear Parents/Carers

Hopefully we have come to the end of lockdown for our students as we start to return to full time education. Following the announcement by the Government on the 22nd of February, we have been putting in place arrangements for the full time return of students from the week commencing the 8th of March. Live lessons and google meet lessons will end on Friday 5th March. Students returning on the 9th and 10th of March should continue to access google classroom and hard copy work.

The expectation is that students upon their return will be tested, using the lateral flow testing method. The Government have advised that students should be tested three times when they return. Following these first three tests we will be sending home tests for each student to use at home twice a week. 

In order to complete these tests we must gain consent. Please sign and return the attached form. We cannot test or send test kits home unless this consent is completed. I have also included a privacy notice.

Upon student return to the academy testing will take place as follows:-

Year 11: 8th, 11th and 16th March

Year 10: 9th, 12th and 17th March

Year 9: 10th, 15th and 18th March

The other change is the policy on wearing face coverings, which upon return all students will be expected to wear at all times whilst in school. Due to the size of our academy, it is impossible to always socially distance. Therefore as with staff, students will need to observe the requirement to wear face coverings. Please would you ensure that you do provide your child with a suitable face covering.

As our students return, we will continue to monitor temperature upon entry to the academy. Students will also be required to sanitize their hands at the front door. The academy had been refreshed during this period of lockdown and stickers have been placed around the academy, reminding students to socially distance when possible.

It is important that the remainder of this year is spent making up for lost time. This is especially important for our year 11 students, who will need to ensure that we have enough evidence of work completed to award them their qualifications at the end of this year. A little bit of effort and work now will result in far more opportunities in the future. To support year 11 students, school will end at lunchtime on a Friday for years 9-10.  Year 11 students will be offered the opportunity to stay on site until 2.30 to complete additional work in support of their qualifications. Please be assured that we have strategies in place for all staff to work with all students to get them to where they need to be and to close any gaps as a result of the lockdown.

The arrangements for returning from the 8th of March will be as follows:-

Monday 8th March: Year 11 students will return to school at 9.00 a.m. They will be tested upon entry.

Tuesday 9th March: Year 10 students will return to school at 9.00 a.m. They will be tested upon entry.

Wednesday 10th March: Year 9 students will return to school at 9.00 a.m. They will be tested upon entry.

This has been a very difficult time for us all and I know that we are not out of the woods yet, so I hope that you will support the academy to ensure that we all keep as safe as possible. As you will be aware, as yet teachers are not vaccinated against Covid19, so you will understand their concerns about returning to school. That is why it is important that all our students and staff are tested regularly and also all wear face coverings at all times.

Finally, I would like to thank you all for your support, for being there for us and for your children, pushing, motivating and supporting them to remain engaged and to complete work. As I have said before, we are the Stone Soup family and without you we couldn’t have achieved what we have during this very difficult time.

If you have any concerns, queries or questions then please do not hesitate to contact me or your Personal Coach if you prefer.

I cannot wait to see all our students back in the academy so roll on the 8th of March.

Take care and keep safe

Kerrie Henton FCCT

Principal

Stone Soup Academy