Dear Parents
COVID-19 – Arrangements for the school opening for all Year Groups from September 2020
As we approach the start of the new academic year we are very much looking forward to being able to welcome students back to school. As suggested in earlier correspondence there will be several aspects of school life that have been amended in response to the COVID virus and safety measures that we are putting in place to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
In order that we can communicate these changes with students, the start to the new year will be staggered with each Year Group returning at a different point during the first week. I am sorry for any disruption that this may cause. However, I am sure that you will appreciate that it is necessary to ensure that every student is fully briefed on what will be expected of them to ensure that the whole school community can operate safely.
Please see outlined below the times and dates that each Year Group will return. Please read through all of the information below carefully. There is a lot of information in this letter and arrangements are different for each year group. Please note, in particular, that for Years 8, 9 and 10 they will attend in their House Groups on the afternoon before the day on which their teaching timetable commences. Students should return to these briefings and their timetabled lessons in full school uniform and should also consider bringing their own hand sanitiser and reusable drinks container as part of their necessary school equipment.
Year 7: Return to school on Monday, 7th September 2020. Arrive at school between 8.15am – 8.25am. Enter the school by the Main gate on Handsworth Avenue. Depart at 3.05pm via the Main gate.
Year 12: Return to school on Monday, 7th September 2020. Arrive at school between 8.25am – 8.35am. Enter the school by the 6th Form gate on Handsworth Avenue. Depart at 3.15pm via the 6th Form gate.
Priority has been given to our two newest Year Groups in the school who are settling into secondary school or 6th Form for the first time. Their lessons will continue from Monday, 7th September 2020 onwards.
Year 10: Return to school for their briefing session during the afternoon on Monday, 7th September 2020 at the following times. It is essential that they attend as their Tutor Group. Entry to the school will be via the vehicle gate on Handsworth Avenue.
10P1 and P2 - 2.00pm
10G1 and G2 - 3.00pm
10F1 and F2 - 4.00pm
10B1 and B2 - 5.00pm
All Year 10 students will be dismissed on Monday afternoon from the Beverley Road Gate.
Year 10 will return the following morning, Tuesday 8th September 2020 and their teaching will start from that point onwards. They should arrive between 8.25am – 8.35am via the Main gate on Handsworth Avenue. Depart at 3.15pm via the Main gate.
Priority has been given to Year 10 in returning to school to commence their GCSE courses. It is necessary for these students to receive an extended briefing session, as they have not attended school throughout the enforced school closure.
Year 11 and Year 13: Both will return to school on Tuesday, 8th September 2020. Each of these Year Groups were able to attend school for the last four weeks before the summer break and are, in the main, familiar with COVID measures that have been put into place.
Year 11: Arrive at school between 8.25am – 8.35am on Tuesday, 8th September 2020. Enter the school via the Beverley Road gate. Depart 3.20pm again via the Beverley Road gate, unless they are attending a period 6 lesson.
Year 13: Arrive at school between 8.25am – 8.35am on Tuesday, 8th September 2020. Enter the school via the 6th Form gate on Handsworth Avenue. Depart 3.20pm again via the 6th Form gate, unless they are attending a period 6 lesson.
Both Years 11 and 13, who are closest to sitting their GCSE or A Level examinations, will benefit from a slightly extended Period 5 (by 5 minutes) each day whilst giving other Year Groups the opportunity to be clear from the site, before their dismissal.
Lessons for Years 11 and 13 will commence on Tuesday, 8th September 2020 and continue from that point onwards.
Year 8: Return to school for their briefing session during the afternoon on Tuesday, 8th September 2020 at the following times. It is essential that they attend in their Tutor Group. Entry to the school will be via the vehicle gate on Handsworth Avenue.
8P1 and P2 - 2.00pm
8G1 and G2 - 3.00pm
8F1 and F2 - 4.00pm
8B1 and B2 - 5.00pm
All Year 8 students will be dismissed on Tuesday afternoon from the Beverley Road Gate.
Year 8 will return the following morning, Wednesday, 9th September 2020 to commence their lessons. They should arrive between 8.40am – 8.50am via the Main gate on Handsworth Avenue. Depart at 3.35pm via the Main gate.
Year 8 will commence each day by going straight to their Period 1 lesson. Their day will end at 3.35pm each day after their tutor time, thus helping to stagger each Year Group’s arrival and departure. Lessons for Year 8 commence on Wednesday, 9th September 2020 and will continue from that point onwards.
Year 9: Return to school for their briefing session during the afternoon on Wednesday, 9th September 2020 at the following times. It is essential that they attend in their Tutor Group. Entry to the school will be via the vehicle gate on Handsworth Avenue.
9P1 and P2 - 2.00pm
9G1 and G2 - 3.00pm
9F1 and F2 - 4.00pm
9B1 and B2 - 5.00pm
All Year 9 students will be dismissed on Wednesday afternoon from the Beverley Road gate.
Year 9 will return the following morning, Thursday, 10th September 2020 to commence their lessons. They should arrive between 8.40am – 8.50am via the Beverley Road gate. Depart at 3.35pm again via the Beverley Road gate.
Year 9 will commence each day by going straight to their Period 1 lesson. Their day will end at 3.35pm each day after their tutor time, thus helping to stagger each Year Group’s arrival and departure. Lessons for Year 9 commence on Thursday, 10th September 2020 and continue from that point onwards.
Can I take this opportunity to thank you for your cooperation during this first week back to school. Whilst frustrating that we cannot welcome all students back on the same day, it is essential that time is taken with each Year Group to ensure that everyone is fully briefed on how all the different systems and procedures work. Doing so will ensure everyone is able to play their part and cooperate together to ensure the school runs smoothly and safely for the rest of the term.
More details and explanations on all areas of school life will be circulated prior to the start of school. As you can see from the details above, it is essential that each student attends at their allocated time and location to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Thank you for your anticipated support and cooperation.
Yours faithfully
Phil Grundy
Principal
