Change to start of term arrangements in January 2021 – update from the Principal 30.12.20.

Dear Parent/Carer,

RE: Changes to start of term arrangements January 2021

You may have seen in the news today that secondary schools have been directed to delay the start of the spring term to allow time to plan and prepare for the rollout of mass Covid-19 testing in schools. The college was only made aware of the new arrangements following the announcement by the Secretary of State for Education this afternoon.

In line with Department of Education (DFE) guidance issued today the arrangements for the start of the new term are as follows:

Monday 4th Jan – Inset day for all staff. Year 11 workshops planned for this day are now postponed until later in the term.

Year 11 and 13: To complete remote learning on Google Classroom from Tuesday 5th January in line with usual timetables- this includes compulsory live morning registration and attendance at specified live online lessons. Year 11 and 13 to return to the college site for Covid-19 testing and face to face learning from Monday 11th January. Mock exams will now run from 13th-25th January. Students in the 6th form sitting CTEC/LIBF public exams to be notified about exam arrangements.

Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 to complete remote learning on Google Classroom from Monday 11th January in line with usual timetables, this will include compulsory live morning registration from this date. However, the college has decided that in addition to the DFE guidance, we will also be in a position to set remote tasks for students in these year groups from Wednesday 6th January on Google Classroom. As things currently stand students in these year groups may be able to return to face to face learning from Monday 18th January, however this is subject to review as Southwark has been identified as an area by the government which may require further contingency restrictions.

The college will be able to make provision available to students whose parents are key workers from Tuesday 5th January. Please note this provision involves providing students access to a PC/laptop on the college site from 9am-3pm to access remote learning in line with their peers. Students will need to follow strict social distancing arrangements at all times, including break and lunch time as they will be accessing onsite provision before testing begins. They will
also be required to wear face coverings in all communal areas and in their designated classroom unless exempt. Parents will need to provide evidence of key worker employment to request a place. We already have a list of students in Years 8 and above who attended provision in the summer term, parents/carers of these students should please email Mrs Ferguson v.ferguson@stmichaelscollege.org.uk to confirm if they wish to retain this place with evidence of their employment. Parents/carers of Year 7 students who meet the key worker criteria should also email Mrs Ferguson by midday on Monday 4th January to request a place and should provide evidence of employment.
The parents/carers of vulnerable students or those with EHCPs will be contacted by staff at the college on Monday 4th January to discuss and agree the most suitable and safe provision for these students from 5th January.

Covid-19 Lateral Flow Testing
The college is planning to offer lateral flow testing to all staff and students in line with DFE guidance from Monday 11th January. I appreciate parents/carers will have many questions about this and more information about the arrangements for the tests, how to provide consent and the actual test procedure will be provided next week.

We will continue to ensure the highest quality provision is in place for students at this time and to keep parents/carers fully updated as further information becomes available.

I also strongly urge you to ensure that your children and households follow all tier 4 restrictions in full and avoid all household mixing, this is the only way to make sure the college can fully open to all students as soon as possible. The decisions you and your children make have a direct impact on the provision we are able to safely offer.

Thank you for your ongoing support and I hope the new year brings you all of God’s blessings as we continue to navigate our way through this pandemic.

Yours faithfully

Ms F. Corcoran
Principal

Dec 30th 20 Important update from the Principal. Change to start of term arrangements January 2021.