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Headteacher’s letter August 23rd 2021

Monday 23 August 2021

Dear Parents and Carers

It has been a busy morning here at CNS, as we embark on the first day of our new summer school. Over 120 of our new year 7s are with us this week. We have lots planned to make their work memorable and fun, but also ensure their first ‘proper’ week in September is the smoothest ever!

We want all students to have a really great start to the term, and year, and with this in mind please read on to learn more of those plans and how families can help prepare for September. You may recall that I wrote to you in July and set out some details about the forthcoming new term. That letter is on our website and can be accessed by following this link.

A level and GCSE Results

Before I get to those plans, I wish to draw your attention to our most recent successes. We are incredibly proud of our superb students who had more to celebrate than ever before. Please do look at our website and the soon to be published article in the Chippy News. I will return to this topic more thoroughly with you in September.

Uniform and Equipment:

It is that time of year when we are all buying new items.  Please remember that we return with a full and normal school uniform, and that PE kits will no longer be worn to and from school on PE days. Our website contains everything you need to know about our school uniform and equipment.

Asymptomatic Testing In September

When I wrote to you in July I set out the details surrounding the resumption of asymptomatic testing on our site at the very start of September. In summary:

  • There will be two tests per student.
  • There will be no tonsil / throat swabbing. All swabbing will be nostrils only.
  • Students will return to school after both tests have been undertaken.
  • KS3 students will have their tests on Thursday 2 and Monday 6 September, returning to school as normal on Tuesday 7 September.
  • KS4 students and sixth formers will have their tests on Friday 3 and Tuesday 7 September, returning to school as normal on Wednesday 8 September.

Fresh Consent for Asymptomatic Testing Needed

Tests cannot be undertaken without fresh consent forms being submitted online. Many thanks for the 400+ received already but before you book test appointments, on-line consent must be provided. Consents provided for the test back in March are no longer valid.

  • If you are a parent or carer of a student years 7 to 11 then click here to complete the consent form on your child’s behalf.
  • If you are going to be a sixth former from September 2021, then click here to complete your own consent form.

How to Book Your Appointments

On Thursday 26 August, the parents and carers of students who are starting with us in Year 7 will be given the first opportunity to book their children’s two tests (on Thursday 2nd and Monday 6th September). All other families and sixth formers will be able to start making their bookings on Friday 27th August. Please look out for a separate email and guidance information from one of my colleagues later this week.

Unfortunately, it will not be possible for families with children in different key stages to book on the same day.

Contrary to the previous letter, the tests will now take place in our school hall, and not the sports hall.

If parents and carers take their children by car for their tests then they are asked to remain in their car at all times and send their children in the direction of the Old Reception, where they will be welcomed and guided through the process – which may take anything from 10 to 30 minutes.

The Start of Term

School buses ·       All normal school buses will start running again on Tuesday 7 September. Only KS3 students will be riding those buses on that day.

·       From September, students will no longer be required to board and sit in year group blocks. However, it is expected and recommended that all students continue to wear face coverings whilst on public transport (including school buses).

Arriving at school each day ·       The school continues to begin at 8:40am.

·       All sixth formers will continue to arrive via their own sixth form centre reception.

·       All KS4 (years 10 and 11) students will enter via the Science Courtyard.

·       All KS3 (years 7, 8 and 9) students will enter via the Old Entrance.

·       All late arrivals (i.e. after 8:40am) may only enter via the Main Reception.

Leaving the school each day ·       The school continues to end at 3:15pm.

·       Students will no longer be leaving the site via a specified exit according to the location of their year group zone. They will once again leave via the nearest available exit and board school buses as they used to (i.e. not staggered by year groups).

The end of zones ·       From September, the students will use the entire site as normal for their lessons. We envisage our youngest students needing some temporary support in navigating their way around our site!
Face coverings at school ·       From September, face coverings are no longer advised in classrooms or communal settings. However, if students wish to continue to wear a face covering then they will be permitted to do so.
Self-isolation and close contacts ·       Families will be aware that the guidance on self-isolation is now very different compared to last year:

o   Close contacts of CNS students who are positive cases of COVID-19 are no longer required to self-isolate.

o   Individuals are not required to self-isolate if they live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19.

Home Testing ·       Home testing will resume for students (and staff) in September. Many families will be glad to know that the latest kits involve nostril (only) swabbing.
Dining Facilities ·       We expect to get back to normal with the provision of food and other items in our canteen on September. More details will follow but we are particularly excited at the prospect of being able to open our new dining room for key stage four students! This will give them lots of space and a beautiful environment to eat, talk and socialise.
Other Measures ·       We shall maintain the following to reduce the risk of infection for the foreseeable future:

o  Heightened cleaning programme all day across the school.

o  Requirement for all students to sanitise their hands as they enter and leave classrooms.

o  Ensuring good respiratory hygiene by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach and ensure that tissues are made available.

o  Well-ventilated classrooms.

o  Encouraging all students to socialise outside whenever and wherever possible.

o  Expected and recommended that all students continue to wear face coverings whilst on public transport (including school buses).

 

Please do follow us on Facebook to see some images from our Summer School and look out for the letter inviting you to make bookings later this week.

I shall write to families again next week and therefore enjoy the bank holiday when it arrives!

Yours faithfully

Mr Doherty

Headteacher

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