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Dear Parents,

I normally look forward to writing to you at the end of the Christmas term, as it is a chance to wish you a peaceful break whilst highlighting some of the extracurricular successes from different areas of the school.  This evening as promised I will focus upon the pressing matter of the arrangement for the final days of the term.

Can I thank all those who were able to attend the school today to complete a COVID test.  Despite the numerical limitations of the NHS team that were sent in to carry out the process, they were able to complete nearly 400 tests.  Please now ensure that you now register your test and complete the on line form required in order for you to get your results at “gov.uk/register-your-test” within 24 hours of competing the test.  Hopefully this process that you have all participated in will help to keep each of our families safer over the Christmas break.  Sadly, I anticipate many of you, although asymptomatic, will return a positive result.  Please ensure that all students that do return a positive test notify the school via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so that we are able to inform other potential contacts as well.

Yesterday I wrote to you outlining the advice that all schools had been given by the Director of Public Heath  to “recommend that all schools in Waltham Forest move to remote learning and remain open only to support the children of critical workers and vulnerable children”.  It remains the view of the local authority that schools should maintain this position, however they, like us as a stand-alone academy, have to respond to a letter received today from the Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for School Standards.

In his letter Mr Gibb asks school leaders to allow “all pupils to attend school for face to face education from Wednesday 16th December through to the last scheduled day of teaching”.  I have today written to the Regional Schools Commissioner, Sue Baldwin, outlining my frustration at the school being placed in the untenable position of having to decide whether to follow the instructions of Mr Gibb or the guidance of Public Health.

As explained in my earlier correspondence the school will be open on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th December for face to face teaching for years 10, 11, 12 and 13.  We have prioritised our examination year groups as they are the students either part-way through or nearing the end of their GCSE and A Level studies.  I am already aware of a significant number of my colleagues who are unable to attend work as they are having to isolate due to COVID.  This is the reason why I am not able to fully comply with Mr Gibb’s request to provide face to face education for all students.

In providing this education, in conjunction with the on line learning for years 7 – 9, we are complying with Mr Gibb’s request to re-open the school, thus avoiding the need for him to utilise the powers granted to him in the Coronavirus Act and protecting the hard won autonomy of Highams Park Academy Trust going forwards.

As you are aware I am limited in the details that I am able to provide you about individual cases of the virus in school, but I am duty bound to inform you when a positive case for one of our school community is reported.  I think it helpful to share the following facts with you from recent days:

  • 400 members of our school community took COVID tests today and are awaiting their results.
  • 6 new cases of the virus were confirmed within the school community over last weekend and on Monday.
  • A further 4 new cases of the virus were confirmed within the school community today.
  • 59 students reported today that they were going into self-isolation as a result of either showing symptoms themselves, or being in contact with a confirmed case.
  • This brings the total number of students isolating to 203 at present.

It was as a result of monitoring the overall statistics for the whole of Waltham Forest that the Director of Public Health and the local authority made their recommendation.  Despite reiterating our particular school circumstances, as well as demonstrating our commitment to helping drive the infection rates down by hosting the mass testing unit today, I am yet to receive any other instruction from the Regional Schools Commissioner or Mr Gibb other than to open as fully as possible until the end of term.

I do apologise for the rapidly changing situation that I have had to communicate to you in recent days.  I hope that the factual outline of events above is helpful in providing a context for the reason for this shift in position.  My staff and I look forward to welcoming students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 in person tomorrow and the class teachers of Years 7,8,9 look forward to seeing their students on-line as well.

Can I thank each of you for your patience and understanding throughout this term.  I wish you and your families every success in navigating the restrictions of Tier 3 lockdown that comes into effect across London in the early hours of tomorrow morning and trust and pray that you will be able to enjoy your Christmas break together with your immediate families in the not too distant future.

Regards

Phil Grundy

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