Dear parents,
Since I wrote to you last, and as anticipated there has been considerable press coverage outlining the change in arrangements for the start of the new term by the Government. I thought it would be helpful however to recap exactly how these will impact upon the students of Highams Park School. I would also like to share with you some of the emerging plans with regard to the mass testing that has now been made mandatory* for schools to make available.
- For the week Tuesday 5th Jan - Friday 8th January. All learning will be provided online via Microsoft Office Teams for all year groups 7 - 13.
- During this first week 5th - 8th January, only students of key workers or vulnerable students may attend school where they will be supervised in completing their online learning. Parents intending to use this service must register to do so via filling in the attached survey link. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7KXTRCG
- On Monday 4th January the school are expecting to receive an initial quota of rapid test kits and associated PPE that will help facilitate the now mandatory lateral flow tests. Before these tests can be used a team of operatives need to be trained and in situ in the school. Once this has been achieved we will notify parents as to which groups of students should attend the school to complete each of the two required tests.
- Thank you to all those who volunteered to be part of the testing team. I must admit I was humbled by the fact that within 24 hours of making the request there were over 30 of you who had indicated your interest in helping to provide these tests to students and staff. If you would like to join this team please indicate your interest by registering via the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/78XNNR6
- From Monday 11th January Years 11 and 13 will return to school for face to face teaching. All other year groups 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 will continue their online lessons via Microsoft Office Teams for this second week of term.
- From Monday 18th January we hope that all year groups will be able to return to face to face teaching.
- Students in Year 11 and 12 should continue to prepare for their mock examinations as it is intended that as soon as they are able to return to school in person these important tests will take place.
*It is mandatory for schools to provide the testing, but remains optional for students to participate. However I would encourage every student to do so, and therefor collectively help to prevent the spread of the virus.
The exception to this request are those students who have tested positive for the virus in the last 90 days. I continue to seek further clarification from the NHS test and trace team, but my current interpretation of the guidance is that unless an individual develops new COVID symptoms, those who have tested positive in the last 90 days, and who have completed their 10 days isolation should not take a new test as it is highly likely that they will again return a positive result due to traces of the virus that remain in their system despite them having recovered from it and no longer being contagious.
Having said all of the above, I would ask for everyone to keep an eye out for further e mail updates as the Government have already confirmed that plans for the full return of school will be kept under review in response to updated data on the spread of the virus locally.
Additionally, I will be writing to you again in coming days to outline details as to when the tests will be available for different groups of students. Please note the target that has been set would require all students to complete 2 tests within a 7 day window. And then subsequently that any potential "contacts" will be tested on a daily basis rather than having to isolate.
Many thanks for your ongoing understanding during these current times.
Yours sincerely
Phil Grundy
