We are pleased to confirm that the practical PE lessons for Year 7, 8 and 9 students will recommence on Monday 21st September.

Please see below a link to a letter in respect of this and the timetable of PE lessons for Year 7,8 and 9.

KS3 PE letter to parents 18.9.20

On Thursday 3rd September, we welcomed our new Year 7 students to our Central Foundation school community. The students had an induction to the school routines and systems which this year included Covid-19 health and safety measures implemented by the School.

The students learnt about the School’s ethos and guiding principles of humanitas that encompass kindness, culture, being courteous and active in one’s participation in the community and in bringing about improvement to society.  We were delighted with the start made by the new Year 7s; they displayed excellent learning behaviours in their lessons and we saw the start of the formation of many new friendships.  On Friday, Year 7s were joined by Year 11 students.

Please see below some photographs illustrating the first day of Year 7 students and some safety measures put in place by the School.

Year 7 students' first assembly

Year 7 students' first assembly

Students practising handwashing

Students practising handwashing

Students practising handwashing

Students lining up for lunch

Year 7 students in lessons in their 'bubble' learning area

Students enjoying their 'family lunch' in the dining hall

Students using foot pump hand sanitiser before entering the dining hall

Title: Year 11 back in school
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 04-09-2020
End Time: 15:15

Please see below a link to a letter to the parents of Year 8,9 and 10 students in relation to the start of the new academic year.

Start of the academic year – updated start times for Year 8,9 and 10

The new start dates and times for Years 8, 9 and 10 are now as follows:

Monday 7th September

Year 8 – 8.50am

Year 10 - 10am

Tuesday 8th September

Year 9 – 10am

Following on from government guidance and after careful consideration of the matter, the current position of the School in respect of face coverings is as follows.

Staff and students should wear face coverings in areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained, such as corridors and communal areas.  All staff and students should have their own face coverings.  Students’ face coverings should be plain, with no patterns or wording upon them.  Students should carry a plastic bag in which they place the face covering when they are not wearing it.  The School will carry supplies of face masks and plastic bags for the occasions when students have forgotten or mislaid their mask or bag.

The layout of our school is such that it makes it difficult to maintain social distancing when staff and pupils are moving around the premises, for example, in corridors.  We have set up the timetable and the structure of the students’ day to minimise movement around the school and overcrowding.  However, these are routines that are new to staff and the students. Whilst we are seeing how they work, and getting used to them, there appears more opportunity for a breach of social distancing.  Face coverings will help to minimise risk in such circumstances.

The government guidance states that based on current evidence and the measures that schools are putting in place, such as the system of controls and consistent bubbles, face coverings will not be necessary in the classroom, even where social distancing is not possible.  However, at the moment, although face coverings will not be required in the classroom, both staff and students will be able to wear them if they wish.  Staff and students may well experience anxiety upon their return to school and the wearing of a face covering may help to alleviate this anxiety somewhat.