16^th July 2021

End of Term Information for Parents

Dear parents and carers,

As this year draws to a close, I would like to firstly thank you for your patience and support for everything we have achieved together over a time when we have faced a number of challenges.

When students return in September, we will be returning to one school day as the requirement for bubbles in schools, has now been removed.  The latest guidance for parents on Covid-19 can be viewed here;

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/step-4-update-what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges

The School Day in September

As we return to one school day, all students will start school at 8.45am with an extended tutor time of 30 minutes until 9.15.  This will allow us to support students with guided reading, undertake careers activities and provide weekly assemblies for students once more.  This will also enable us to support students with mentoring and interventions each day to support literacy and numeracy. We have extended break time and increased the serving points for food to include the Diner, outdoor Pod, hall and our Bistro in our brand new extension.

Friday 3^rd September and Monday 6^th September – Onsite Testing

For all students for whom we have consent for testing, we have been asked to undertake two onsite Lateral Flow Tests to offer an additional level of protection before everyone returns.  The first test is planned to take place on Friday 3^rd September with the second on Monday 6^th September.  Students from Years 8 – 10 will be invited in for half an hour on Friday 3^rd September to do their first test with all students returning on Monday 6^th September when the second test will take place.

On Friday 3^rd September, our new Year 7 students will be in school all day, from 8.45 until 3pm and for those who have given consent, their testing will take place during lesson 1.  All other year groups should come in to school for one hour, in school uniform for their first test at the following times;

Friday 3^rd September

All students are expected in school at 8.45 on Monday 6^th September.

Attendance

May I remind you that attendance is statutory and all students are expected to be in school.  We are committed to maximising the potential of every child and good attendance and punctuality are essential to this aim. We feel this will be achieved, with the support of parents/carers by ensuring that leave of absence/holidays are not taken in school time. Absence during term time for any reason interrupts the continuity of teaching and learning and disrupts the educational progress of students.  We are unable to authorise holidays in term time apart from exceptional circumstances and Fixed Penalty Notices will be issued.  Please view our attendance policy for further information.  http://www.blaconhighschool.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Attendance-Policy-Final.pdf

Face Coverings

From 19 July, the government is removing the requirement to wear face coverings in law but expects and recommends that they are worn in enclosed and crowded spaces where you may come into contact with people you don’t normally meet. This includes public transport and dedicated transport to school.  If there is an outbreak in school and if we are still in an enhanced response area, we might advise that face coverings should temporarily be worn in communal areas or classrooms by students, staff and visitors, unless exempt.  I will provide further updates on this at the start of the next academic year.

Support during the summer

For details of activities available in Blacon over the summer, please visit the list of activities on our website;

http://www.blaconhighschool.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-v06-summer-programme-2021-rev.pdf

For support and advice during the summer break please contact the Blacon Children’s centre on 01244 397412.

Uniform

May I remind parents of our uniform policy as you prepare for students to return in September.  A full list is included below. May I emphasise that skirts should be knee length only black school shoes are allowed (no trainers), piercings are not allowed other than one pair of stud ear-rings and no nail varnish, false nails or false eyelashes are allowed.  Hoodies and coats are not allowed to be worn in the building and will be confiscated if students do not adhere to the rules.  Fizzy drinks or energy drinks are not to be brought into school and again, will be confiscated.

http://www.blaconhighschool.net/school-uniform/

We expect all students to wear our uniform.  Our uniform reflects our high expectations. It is the first thing to be seen by the public so we expect students to wear uniform properly at all times, including walking to and from school.

School Photographs      

For advanced warning, on Tuesday 7^th September the school photographer will be in to take individual photos of the students.                            

Mobile Phones

From September, mobile phones will not be allowed anywhere in the building, at any time of the day, including before and after school, break and lunch.  Any student using their phone inside the school will have their mobile confiscated and made available for collection from the school office at the end of the day.  Following the pandemic, it is more important than ever for students to have time away from devices, including mobile phones.  To support mental health and well-being we are encouraging students to use their free time during the day, to connect with others with opportunities for talking, rather than feeling any pressure to be using mobiles.  We ask for your support in working with us to uphold this standard.

New Build

I am delighted to inform parents that our new extension is almost complete and will be ready to use in September.  My thanks to Cheshire West and Chester and PaveAways for a superb job and for providing an outstanding facility to support and enhance our learning environment for students.  The building has two floors with a suite of 6 high quality Maths classrooms on the top floor, a new Bistro with seating for 50 students, a bespoke Sanctuary provision with quiet room, ICT suites and intervention spaces for students with additional needs, along with three designated rooms for our Orion curriculum on the ground floor.  We will be holding an official opening in the Autumn term and I will update you on this in September.

Finally, I thank you again for your support and wish you all the best for the summer.  We look forward to welcoming students back on the 3^rd September and to all that we will achieve next year.

Regards,

Rachel Hudson

Headteacher