A Letter to Parents/Carers

11 September 2020

Dear Parents/Carers

Under the circumstances I am delighted to report that students from Year 7 through to Year 11 have now returned.  We have made sure our processes and zoning of all year groups has ensured the bubble size is kept as small as possible, in some cases this has been at the level of individual teaching groups.  We believe that these measures along with twice daily scheduled hand washing for all students will go some way to ensure we prevent the transmission of Covid-19.

The rate of transmission in Gateshead is currently on the increase.  I must ask you to do all that you can to limit unnecessary interactions with people outside of your family.  From Monday we must follow the new rule of six!

I am pleased to report that students have made an exemplary start to the new academic year. Students are wearing their new uniform with pride and this mature approach has been mirrored in the classrooms with high quality learning taking place across all year groups. Both staff and students have been excited to return to the classroom and it has been heartening to see such focus and enthusiasm from students.

Students have embraced the new systems and practices at Grace College, understanding how their compliance ensures they are helping to keep themselves and others as safe as possible.

This afternoon, we had an unexpected fire alarm.  The cause of this is yet to be explained but staff and students managed the situation calmly and sensibly.  Students’ sensible behaviour and careful following of instructions ensured the integrity of year group bubbles was maintained.   

I ask for your support in discussing the following points with your child to ensure the safety of everyone in the College community:

Social distancing

It is important for students to keep within their class area and within their year group.  When students are given permission to enjoy social time outside they must keep their social interactions within a group of 6.  The rule to maintain groups of 6 is part of the new measures soon to be in place across England.

Handwashing

Hand sanitiser is available at all entrances and in all classrooms and must be used on entry to the building and on exit from the classroom.  In addition, students must make every opportunity to wash their hands regularly.  Most classes get 2 opportunities each day where they have an opportunity to wash their hands under the direction of a member of staff.

Face coverings

All students must have a face covering with them at all times.  As of Monday, it is our expectation that students will bring with them a face covering in a suitable sealable plastic bag. 

When travelling to and from College using public buses or the scholars buses, students must wear a face covering. Students should wear their face covering before they get on the bus, throughout the journey and then remove it safely and store it appropriately once they have left the bus.

Students will not be permitted to travel on the buses if they are not wearing a face covering and will have to make alternative arrangements to travel home. If a student repeatedly removes their face covering during the journey, the bus driver may stop the bus and ask the student to find an alternative way home.

Students who are exempt from wearing face coverings must provide medical evidence to their tutor of which will then be recorded in the student’s planner.

Uniform and equipment

The current covid restrictions means that it is not possible to provide students with items of uniform and equipment should a student forget items. In this instance, parents will be contacted if we need to send students home, to collect their equipment or items of uniform, or ask parents to bring the items in to school. Where students are still waiting for items of uniform to be delivered, we are continuing to support them and ask that every effort is made to rectify the situation by the no later than 18 September. Please contact your child’s Tutor if you need to inform them if this is not going to be possible.

Learning

Students have been out of the habit of learning for many months but I am pleased to report that many returned eager to get on with lessons.  We will need to undertake some careful assessment to ensure we plan our catch-up effectively.  It will take until next Friday for all students to attend all of their lessons but I wish to compliment them for their strong start.

Year 11 students have been promised a laptop device to use in school and at home in the evenings.  The final software downloads, licensing and home school usage agreement need to be finalised before these are distributed to Year 11.  We are planning to hand these out as soon as we possibly can.  Year 11s must ensure they have a backpack with them next week to protect the device.  The device must be charged each night overnight.

After College catch-up

Study Support (opportunities to participate in small group work after College hours to support further learning, catch up on missed work or gain confidence in key topics) will take place after school, with a scholars’ bus leaving the College at 4:20pm. Until further notice the co-curricular provision will not be running. Details of the co-curricular provision will be shared with parents once the College is in a position to resume its programme of activities.

Key points of contact

The Lower School and Upper School are led by Heads of School. Miss Allan leads the Lower School and Mr Bland leads the Upper School. Working with them are a team of Progress Leaders who have a variety of roles but in particular focus on supporting students within a specific year group and a large and experienced group of tutors. Where parents have queries, the first port of call should be to the tutor and then to the specific Progress Leader.

We look forward to welcoming the Sixth Form back on Monday and a chance to continue to build a learning community at Grace College.

Yours faithfully

Mr M Hall

Principal