Dear parents and carers,
Given that cases are rising locally and we’ve had some positive cases here at Forge over the last few days, I am writing to let you know that we have been instructed to reintroduce the wearing of masks for students from tomorrow.
This morning I received the headteacher communications from Sandwell local authority where Lesley Hagger, Director of Childrens’ Services said: “last week we made an application to central government to reintroduce the wearing of facemasks in secondary schools. Yesterday we received confirmation from the Joint Biosecurity Centre lead that our request has been agreed by Ministers. This means that we now strongly advise secondary schools to reintroduce the wearing of face masks in all areas of the school.”
This means that, from tomorrow – Wednesday 16th June, staff and students can wear a face mask at all times in classrooms and corridors. Face masks will not need to be worn outside or during sporting activities. Let’s keep our academy community safer by looking after one another and following the guidance.
It is very important that when wearing a face covering at school your child understands the correct way to wear, handle and store them. If they are handled incorrectly it may inadvertently increase the risk of transmission, I would also encourage you to read the Government guidance.
Your child should already have an appropriate face covering for other settings such as shops and we request that you send your child to school each day with a mask. We would ask that these face coverings are multiple-use, are as plain as possible and without any offensive or aggressive words or images on them. If you are unable to access one, please do contact the school directly so that we can provide the necessary support. If there is a medical reason where a student is unable to wear a mask, please email [email protected]
We will continue to operate under Covid guidance; students will remain in their year group bubbles in their designated zone. They will enter and exit the school site through the same allocated gates and they will continue to follow the same timetable. Ventilation and hand washing/sanitising are still key. Windows and doors in classrooms will remain open. Changing facilities are still limited so on the days that students have a PE lesson, they should attend wearing their PE kit.
Testing should continue to take place and the results should be recorded via the NHS Test and Trace app or on the website using the code on your lateral flow test. If you get a positive test, please inform us too by immediately emailing [email protected] or sending us a message.
I appreciate that the return of masks feels like a step backwards but it’s important that we remain flexible and react to changing situations. Your support has been invaluable and it continues to be appreciated by all of us. I will try and seek clarification on how long we expect this situation to last.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Lisa Mason
Principal