September 2020 - Arrangements to Date

17/07/20

Dear parent / guardian

Firstly, I would like to thank pupils, parents and staff for their support and co-operation during these past weeks. Everything went smoothly with the ‘check-in’ period and it was lovely to see our pupils once again.

Earlier in the week, the Welsh Government released guidance regarding opening schools to all pupils in September. I would like to outline our plans as a school but I would also urge you to visit our website regularly over the summer holidays to receive further information. I would like to emphasise that these arrangements are for the first half term; we will adapt and change arrangements and timetables as the academic year continues in accordance with government guidelines. If you have any questions please contact us through email.

 

A Level, AS and GCSE results

• The school will be open on the 13^th of August for year 12 and 13 pupils to collect their AS and A Level results and receive any guidance or help. Further details will be on the school website by the 12^th of August.
• The school will be open on the 20^th of August for year 11 pupils to collect their result, receive guidance and register for courses in the school’s sixth form. Further details will be on the school website by the 19^th of August.

 

Starting dates for September

• 1^st and 2^nd of September –school will be open for staff.
• 3^rd September – school will be open for year 7 pupils only.
• 4^th September – school open to year 7, 11, 12 and 13
• 7^th September – school open for year 7,10,11,12 and 13
• 8^th September – school open for year 7,9,10,11,12 and 13
• 9^th September – school open for every pupil.
• All pupils will be expected to attend school unless ill.

 

Health and Safety

• Arrangements already in place will continue. We will no longer take pupils’ temperature unless they feel unwell.
• Pupils displaying Covid 19 symptoms should not be sent to school. If pupils feel unwell or display symptoms in school, they will wait in the designated first aid room to until they can be collected.
• Hand sanitisers are placed by every entrance, in toilets and classroom. We would also encourage pupils to bring their own small bottle to save time at the beginning of each lesson.
• Pupils can wear a face mask should they wish to do so.

 

Classes and Lessons

• Every year will have their own ‘zone’ within and outside the school. They will all have their own entrance and toilets.
• To reduce movement, pupils will stay in the same classroom all day. The only exceptions will be moving to PE lessons (KS3 and KS4); moving to practical options lessons (KS4) and moving between core groups (KS4).
• KS5 lessons will follow the same routine as usual and will be in the sixth form block apart from some practical subjects.
• Year 7,8 and 9 pupils will be registered and taught in their learning groups (MORLLWYN). We will not be teaching groups or sets during this period.

 

Uniform and equipment

• Pupils will need to wear the official school uniform.
• On the day of a PE lesson, pupils are required to wear their PE kit to school; PE top, black or navy PLAIN leggings, tracksuit or trousers, PE fleece or school jumper, socks and trainers.
• Pupils will need to bring a coat as they will be expected to go outside during break and lunch unless pouring with rain.
• Pupils should bring a school bag to carry books, writing equipment, water, food / snack and hand sanitiser.

 

Mobile phones and other devices

• Pupils will be allowed to bring a mobile phone / tablet or laptop to school and use them in class with the teacher’s permission. This will enable teachers to share resources safely instead of using paper copies, aid blended learning should a pupil or teacher be ill or required to self -isolate and allow on line assessment.
• Pupils can use the school BYOD network (Bring your own device) to access the internet without using personal data and with safety restrictions on the websites they can access.
• If a pupil does not own smartphone or device, they may borrow a Chromebook for the day.
• Pupils will be responsible for looking after their devices, please check you have suitable insurance cover.
• Pupils will not be allowed to use a device without the teacher’s consent. They will not be allowed to use them during break and lunchtime to encourage socialising.

 

Pupils with learning difficulties or vulnerable pupils

• The pastoral team will contact pupils who did not attend the end of term sessions to check if they need any support with returning to school in September.
• The pastoral team will share information regarding vulnerable pupils, those anxious about their return to school or pupils who had a traumatic experience during lock down.
• Vulnerable pupils will have access to extra support through the Pastoral Hub and a Health and Wellbeing lesson will be included on the KS3 timetable.
• Pupils with learning difficulties will continue to receive support and intervention. This will be provided mainly in the Camau unit as TA’s will be required to keep a 2m distance from pupils in class.

 

Food arrangements

• At present, the Authority has not officially announced the arrangement for school meals.
• It is unlikely that school will be able to provide morning and break time snacks, pupils should bring a snack with them if needed and also a water bottle.
• Pupils can bring their own lunch or order a cold or hot packed lunch. This will be brought to their zone at lunchtime and consumed in the classroom. It is unlikely that pupils will be allowed to enter the canteen at all.
• School meals should be paid for online.

 

Transport

• At present, the authority has not shared arrangements for school transport.

 

Please remember to keep an eye out on our website for further information and guidance. As it is the end of the school year, I would like to take the opportunity to wish the best to the members of staff leaving us; Mrs Einir Wheldon Jones (after 35 years of service to the school), Mr Rhodri Jones (after 13 years of service to the school), Mr Gerallt Richards, Mr Daniel Hughes, Miss Jess Lloyd a Mr Jake Phillips. Welcome back to Miss Nicole Marubbi also.

Wishing all our pupils a safe and happy summer holiday