As you will no doubt be aware, we are now in a national lockdown where the nation is being asked to spend the next four weeks in isolation.
Dear Parents and Carers
It was good to welcome students and staff back last week following a much needed half-term break.
As you will no doubt be aware, we are now in a national lockdown where the nation is being asked to spend the next four weeks in isolation. There are exemptions, school being one. We all want our children to remain in school and will continue to do all we can to ensure they are safe and well cared for.
We’ve been in tier two for some time now so the guidance has changed very little for us but I wanted to write today to reiterate some of the areas that we need to continue to be aware of.
- Our Academy remains open for ALL students and staff unless they are ill or have any of the symptoms associated with the covid-19 virus.
- If anyone in the household tests positive, the entire household must self-isolate. In this instance, please let us know as soon as possible.
- Our Academy site has been split into year group areas with rotas for use of the lunch hall (with thorough cleaning between each group). Students will remain in their year group areas.
- We will continue to sanitise, clean and check our school site regularly and encourage students to use the hand sanitiser units and wash hands.
- Face coverings must be worn by all students and staff when moving around the premises including in corridors and communal areas where social distancing cannot be easily maintained. Current guidance states that students are not required to wear masks when they are outside, leaving the Academy.
- We expect the use of reusable masks or daily disposables, provided by parents. Face coverings must be as plain as possible and without any offensive or aggressive words or images on them
- ALL students are required to return home immediately at the end of school. They must not socialise or congregate with their friends or meet up with other students.
- Students leave the Academy by 3 different exit points.
- We cannot allow non-essential visitors on site. Any essential visits must be made by appointment.
- We will conduct any other consultations or meetings virtually using either Microsoft TEAMS or Google, or we will use the telephone.
We will need your support to ensure that these measures are followed. Please stress the importance of following this guidance with your children.
These continue to be challenging times. Hopefully, the measures being put into place will have an impact on the numbers of people getting the virus. I do not want to have to close the Academy for any period of time as our children have already missed too much time in front of their teachers. We are all in this together and I’ve been moved by the coming together of our community and I know that we can get through this.
Please take good care of your families, one another and neighbours.
Thank you,
Dr Lisa Mason
Principal
Ormiston Forge Academy