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Arrangements for start of spring term 2021

Arrangements for start of spring term 2021

Dear Parent/Carer/Student,

Following on from the Government’s announcement on Thursday 17 December regarding a staggered start to the spring term for all secondary and college students in England, The Sixth Form has reviewed its timetable and year bubble arrangements and concluded that current arrangements meet the conditions outlined. The guidance states that for the week commencing 4 January 2021, colleges will provide remote education to most students. But that support and on-site teaching and attendance should be for priority groups. These groups include:

• vulnerable young people
• those who are not able to access remote education
• those on technical programmes who need to access specialised equipment
• those preparing for upcoming assessments or exams, for example Vocational Qualifications, GCSEs and A Levels during this academic year
• children of critical workers

For clarity, the first week timetable therefore looks as follows:

Monday 4 January 2021 – No lessons, no students in The Sixth Form and remote lessons will not take place.

Tuesday 5 January 2021 – 1^st years in The Sixth Form and 2^nd years have remote lessons.

Wednesday 6 January to Friday 8 January 2021– 2^nd years in The Sixth Form and 1^st years remote lessons.

For vulnerable and supported students please follow your normal pattern of attendance as you would have done in the Autumn term.

Examinations

All examinations are running as normal, so whatever year group bubble you are in, you must attend your examinations as timetabled. If your examination is on a day in which your bubble is not due to be in college, you should only come into The Sixth Form for the examination, follow instructions clearly and leave immediately afterwards. You will already have received your examinations information.

COVID-19 Testing

The Sixth Form is currently considering options as to how mass testing of asymptomatic individuals may be best carried out in the spring term dependent upon further Government and Public Health England guidance. However, in the meantime please could students continue to adhere to The Sixth Form’s COVID Code of Conduct and most importantly do not attend at any point if you have symptoms (even if considered to be relatively mild).

I hope you and your families all stay safe and well and I wish you all the best for an enjoyable break.

Best wishes,

Stuart Merrills – Principal