12^th June 2020

Year 10 Partial Reopening of School – Tuesday 23^rd June 2020

Dear parents/guardians,

Further to my letter from the 1^st June, thank you to all parents for responding to our survey about the return of Year 10 to school.  I am now able to confirm the plans in place for the partial reopening to Year 10.  We are looking forward to welcoming back 70% of the year group into school, based on the survey.  In line with the latest guidance from the DfE, Cheshire West and Chester and Public Health England, we have carefully created six bubbles, comprising of no more than 14 students in each one.

On Tuesday 23^rd June, we will be inviting students into school for a socially distanced briefing with myself, Mr Scoltock, Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Carr and Mr Forbes, Year 10 Progress Leaders.  These will last half an hour and will take place in the main hall at the times below, with students entering through the following places;

Each bubble will spend a further 2 hours each week, starting from the week of the 29^th June in school.  Students may wear their own clothes for this term only and must ensure they are appropriate.

If you would like your child to return and have not yet informed us, please email jcarr@blaconhigh.cheshire.sch.uk or dforbes@blaconhigh.cheshire.sch.uk

All students whose parents have requested that they return to school, have been allocated to a bubble. There will be no opportunity to change bubbles once allocated in order to minimise the risk.  Each bubble will work with a member of staff from the three core subjects along with staff from other areas.  This is very much about giving us an opportunity to reconnect with Year 10 and provide opportunities for students to discuss their experience and to make sense of the world as we now know it.  Topics will include;

• Understanding the Covid19 Pandemic (Humanities/English/PSHE)
  • Looking at past pandemics, the changes that resulted from them and what might change because of Covid19.

• Hygiene (Science and Food)
  • Considering infections and the role that hygiene plays.

• Economic Impact (Maths)
  • Look at the economic impact of the pandemic. Teaching looking at recession, furlough scheme, daily briefing statistics - graphs, charts and interpreting data.

Staff will also be adding audio resources for each subject, each week from the 22nd June, to supplement the work available on Google Classroom.  These will be available for all year groups, to support students as they continue to work from home and I would ask that you encourage your child to access the resources as much as they can.

There will be no more than 2 bubbles in school at any time, which is one quarter of the year group, in line with the guidelines and they will not come into contact with the group of critical and key workers already in school.  Year 10 will work in the hall and activity studio on desks which are 2 metres apart to ensure social distancing.  The rooms used by students in school will be cleaned each day, additional cleaning of surfaces, door handles and rails will take place throughout the day and students will use hand sanitiser upon arrival and departure from school.

Students will be given a breakfast bar, bottle of water and a packed lunch to take home at the end of their session.  All students in receipt of free school meals will continue to receive vouchers through the national scheme, even if they are in school during the summer term.

Please find attached some additional documents to support with the return to school;

• Covid19 Checklist for parents of Year 10 returning to school
• Covid19 Checklist for Year 10 students returning to school
• Letter from Cheshire West and Chester and Public Health about schools reopening
• Joint Statement from Cheshire and Merseyside Directors of Public Health on the phased re-opening of schools

We also have a detailed risk assessment which outlines all of the measures taken to minimise risk and to ensure that everyone is safe in school which has been reviewed by the senior leadership team, staff and Governors.  This is updated weekly and will be available on the school website.  Paper copies can be requested from the school office.  The checklists attached, are one of the ways in which we ensure that practice on the ground, supports the actions identified in the risk assessment.

I understand that this is an anxious time for parents, students and staff and would like to reassure you that the safety and well-being of everyone both in school and in our community, is our top priority.  If you have any questions, please email jcarr@blaconhigh.cheshire.sch.uk or dforbes@blaconhigh.cheshire.sch.uk Finally, I urge you to remain safe and continue to follow the Government guidelines. We are all missing the students and look forward to seeing them again very soon.

Regards,

Rachel Hudson

Headteacher