We continue to follow the daily advice from the Government with regard to school closure and at this time we are still being asked to remain open. We are also receiving daily updates from Public Health England and the DfE. We have plans in place for a full shutdown and if this takes place, we will continue to ensure that learning takes place. However, we must also be prepared for the running of the school to be impacted due to the measures announced relating to self-isolation. Whilst we are doing all that we can to keep the school open, if staff absence rises beyond a certain level, we may have to partially or fully close the school in advance of Government advice.
To date we have been doing the following:
- Keeping facilities such as toilets well stocked for our students
- Keeping large gatherings to a minimum
- Reducing external visitors to school
Advice on Absence
We will now authorise and encourage (for 14 days) self-isolation for any student who has a cough or a high temperature (above 37.8C)
The same will now be true for siblings of such students as guidance now suggests that the whole household must self-isolate. Such absence will now be deemed as authorised absence (classified as “Unable to attend due to exceptional circumstances”)
If a student needs to go home from school with a cough/temperature, we will now send their sibling/s home at the same time (again in line with new government guidance). This will also be seen as authorised absence
We will also authorise absence for students who have a vulnerable (e.g. immuno-suppressed or asthmatic) or pregnant family member/contact in the household in order to avoid students potentially spreading the virus to them. The same will be true for students who themselves are vulnerable.
What school work can be done if my child is self-isolating?
Given the pressure on teachers at the moment, I am afraid they are unable to provide individualised cover work for students who are at home. Students should therefore:
Complete work which is provided via Show My Homework.
Use online resources (such as Tassomai, Hegarty Maths, Seneca, Modern Foreign Language sites, BBC Bitesize etc.).
They should also, of course, use the opportunity to read (fiction and nonfiction).
Complete work which is provided via Show My Homework.
Use online resources (such as Tassomai, Hegarty Maths, Seneca, Modern Foreign Language sites, BBC Bitesize etc.).
They should also, of course, use the opportunity to read (fiction and nonfiction).
Are there further indications about when the school will close?
We are working on the assumption that the school will close at some point prior to the Easter holiday. The Government has said that this will happen, “at the right time, in the right way”. The governors and I will need to make our own judgement on closure should staffing absence levels reach a point at which we are unable to provide safe levels of supervision We may need to put into place a partial closure (i.e. only certain years come into school). This will depend on staffing levels. I will let you know of any plans to close as soon as possible.
Is there an update on arrangements for GCSE and A-Level Examinations?
There are some indications that examinations will be delayed though nothing is certain. In the meantime we are advising our students to continue working as normal and on the assumption that examinations will take place as scheduled.
What else is the school doing to provide support?
We continue to advise students to wash their hands thoroughly and not touch their faces.
Cleaning of the site remains a daily priority.
Cleaning of the site remains a daily priority.
Are there things we can do as parents to support our children?
It is important that children are not made excessively anxious. One key area to monitor is students’ use of social media - a very skewed view of life (as well as out and out misinformation) is often presented through the various platforms and this is not good for students’ mental health. For example, it is worth advising children to only check for updates about coronavirus at a certain time every day, and to model this behaviour ourselves.
A good source of advice on mental health issues is: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51873799.
Talk to your children. I know it sounds simple, but talking things through calmly as a family helps to retain a sense of perspective.
Trips/Visits/Events
Year 10 and 12 Work Experience programmes are cancelled. We are extremely grateful to organisations for offering placements this academic year and we look forward to working with you again when we can. Any interaction with employers whilst school is shut is now to be arranged with parents directly - the school is no longer involved or has any duty of care.
We have already had to cancel some trips / visits and will continue to contact you separately as we review each trip.
We have already had to cancel some trips / visits and will continue to contact you separately as we review each trip.
Support for Families
General support is available for the Oxfordshire Family Information Service: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/children-education-and-families/information-parents/familyinformation-service
Safeguarding support is available from the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/business/information-providers/multi-agency-safeguarding-hub
Safeguarding support is available from the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/business/information-providers/multi-agency-safeguarding-hub
Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to maintain a sense of calm; advice and guidance are changing rapidly so rest assured we will continue to communicate any changes with you as soon as possible.
Dr Annabel Kay
Executive Headteacher