As you may have seen in the news yesterday, the government has announced further changes to students returning to school in the first two week of the spring term in response to a rapid rise in cases and also to facilitate the planning and set up of mass testing in schools.

From Tuesday 5 January to Friday 8 January, school will be closed to all but vulnerable and key worker students. Students in Year 11 and Year 13 will now return on Monday 11 January. All other year groups will return to school on Monday 18 January 2021.

Key Worker and Vulnerable Provision : As with the previous lockdown, provision will be made for these students in school. If after reading this guidance you feel that you will require this provision and if you have not already done so, please complete this form by Sunday 3 January 2021 to allow us to plan our provision. We will contact you on Monday 4 January to confirm arrangements for this provision.

The letter issued to all Parents/Carers, can be read in full here.

Covid Update

I am pleased to report that we have had only one positive case since the last update on 6 November with 21 students self isolating as a result of close contact. We currently have one live case across our school. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support in keeping the school open this term.  By reinforcing messages, ensuring your child has and wears a mask and follows the basics of face, space, hands we have been able to keep students safe in school and offer a full curriculum.  

Positive cases during the Christmas holidays

If your child tests positive for coronavirus, having developed symptoms less than 48 hours since being in school, the school should be contacted immediately by emailing   kevi@the3rivers.net. 

The letter issued to parents/carers cam be read in full here.

Thursday 17 December, students are invited to support Save The Children by wearing a Christmas Jumper or non uniform. There will be a voluntary charge of £1 for students that are willing and able to contribute.

We have received some additional information from DfE with regards to both GCSE and A Level exams next summer. The key headlines are listed below:

• GCSE and A Level grades will be ‘in line’ with those awarded in 2020. This will include both BTEC and CamTech courses

• Students will be given advance notice of topics in the exam. In addition, formula sheets will be given out to students in some exams

• There will be further papers available for students who miss exams because of Covid-19 towards the end of the summer term

• In “extreme cases” where a student has a “legitimate reason to miss all their papers”, then a “validated teacher informed assessment” can be used (but only “once all chances to sit an exam have passed”)

• There will be no grading by region – but Covid asterisks could be used if students in a particular area have been adversely affected by Covid related absences

‘Option questions’ will not be used 

To read the letter issued to Parents/Carers, please click here

The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking to minimise the burden of track and trace falling on schools over the Christmas period and has suggested that schools
use Friday 18 December as an In Service Training Day to support this aim.
Therefore, all of the schools within The Three Rivers Learning Trust will break up for Christmas for students at the end of the school day on Thursday 17 December.

The letter issued to all parents/carers from the CEO, Mr Simon Taylor can be read here.