Dear Parents
COVID-19 AND KNIFE CRIME
I would like to update you on two now sadly familiar themes; that being the ongoing COVID Pandemic and the issue of Knife Crime.
Knife Crime
Those of you with children in Year 8 or above, will be familiar with the approach that we have taken in previous years with regard to raising awareness of the issue of knife crime. The usual pattern of delivering an assembly on the topic and then random use of search arches, to further embed our zero-tolerance approach to the carrying of weapons has not been possible this year.
With the restrictions on assemblies and the increased demand on the Metropolitan Police, we have this year taken a different approach. During lessons today, my senior management team have visited each classroom and spoken to each class briefly about the issue and then conducted a search of each student’s possessions.
As has been the case on each occasion that we have carried out such activities, I am pleased to be able to confirm with you that the search did not unearth anything untoward being brought into school.
I wanted you to all be aware of today's activity, so you are able to speak with your child about the issue of knife crime and reinforce the message that colleagues have delivered. Please do reiterate that any student who has any concerns about knife crime, should immediately speak to a member of staff, who will support them and ensure that the matter is dealt with swiftly and confidentially.
COVID update
Sadly, I also have to inform you of a confirmed case of COVID from one of our students. The family have informed us of the positive result over the weekend, so it has been possible to contact all of the families in Year 8 who need to place their children into isolation because they may have been in “contact” with the student who tested positive. Thank you for your continued cooperation with this process. As frustrating as it is, we hope that these measures will help to stop the spread of the virus. This case has also impacted upon our teaching staff with six colleagues needing to also self-isolate.
Please find attached the letter that I am required to send to all parents of the school following a positive case being identified within the school setting. Finally, I would like to assure you that we continue to link with the Department for Education and Public Health England in reporting this case and deciding what action is appropriate.
Finally, please can I stress that if your child or anyone in your household is displaying symptoms of COVID. DO NOT send them into school, but instead everyone in the household should isolate and the person with the symptoms must apply for a COVID test. Failure to do this is really does hamper our attempts to keep the school open. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Yours faithfully
Phil Grundy
Principal
