Dear parents, carers and students,
I wanted to write this week to update you about some of the logistical changes for our return in January 2022.
In light of the Government’s recent announcement asking schools to coordinate on site COVID testing in January we will need to alter the return to school schedule.
On Wednesday 5th January 2022 (our original return to school date) and Thursday 6th January 2022, we shall be operating our Asymptomatic Testing Site (ATS). Consenting students will need to attend school for a test only and then return home. Students do not need to wear their uniform.
If you have provided consent previously, you do not need to provide it again. Please send your child in for testing. If you want to withdraw your consent, please email [email protected]. If you wish to provide consent, you can find consent forms at the bottom of this page, please can you send this back to the Academy, with your child, on the day of testing. Students who are over the age of 16 can complete this form themselves. All Covid testing policies can be found at the bottom of this page: www.ormistonforgeacademy.co.uk/our-academy/academy-policies
Our testing will operate as follows:
Year group | Testing in school between | Start Spring term |
7 | Thursday 6th January 8:40 – 11:00 | Friday 7th January |
8 | Thursday 6th January 12:00 – 2.30 | Friday 7th January |
9 | Wednesday 5th January 8:40 – 10.00 | Thursday 6th January |
10 | Wednesday 5th January 10:30 – 12:00 | Thursday 6th January |
11 | Wednesday 5th January 1.00 – 2.30 | Thursday 6th January |
12 | Tuesday 4th January 1:00 – 2:00 | Wednesday 5th January |
13/14 | Tuesday 4th January 2:00 – 3:00 | Wednesday 5th January |
Students will be given a specific time to arrive according to their tutor group, this detailed view can be found at the end of this letter.
Students will return to school from Wednesday 5th January 2022 but on a staggered basis, as follows:
Term starts (for years 12, 13 and 14 only): Wednesday 5th January 2022
Term start continues (for years 9, 10, 11) : Thursday 6th January 2022
Term start continues (for years 7 and 8): Friday 7th January 2022
Further information follows:
As has been the case throughout the pandemic, ensuring the health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority. As such, we will be continuing to encourage good hygiene including regular hand-washing, maintaining appropriate cleaning regimes, keeping occupied spaces well ventilated and following public health advice on testing and self-isolation.
I would urge everyone to engage in this testing programme to ensure our return to school for the Spring Term is as COVID free as possible and we do all we can to avoid further lost learning days. On Tuesday 4th January 2022 tasks for learning missed due to testing will be uploaded to SATCHEL ONE.
Many thanks as always for your support in all we are trying to do.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Lisa Mason
Principal