In response to the Government announcement yesterday, we have some important changes to the start of our new term in January, and require a response from parents on consent for rapid flow testing. Please read.
Summary:
Staggered start date - Y11 & 13 return 5 Jan. Other years home learning, and return on 11 Jan
We will also be open for keyworkers and vulnerable students from 5 Jan - let us know if you will need to use this provision
Mass covid testing programme for all students - response required whether you consent for your child to be tested
Reminder - please let us know if your child tests positive for covid over the holidays
Following this announcement by the Department of Education, we will be running a staggered return to school for the Spring Term.
Students in Years 11 and 13 will return on Tuesday 5 January
All other year groups will begin the year with home learning and return on Monday 11 January.
Home Learning
Our programme for remote learning from Tuesday 5 until Friday 8 January will be as follows:
Years 7 to 9 – live lessons will run in English, Mathematics and Science
Year 10 – live lessons will run in all examined subjects
Year 12 – live lessons will run in all examined subjects
Where a member of staff is absent or unavailable, students will be informed via email and appropriate work set by the Head of Department.
Where a live lesson is not running students will be set work via the Home Learning Grid and staff will email students at the start of the day to confirm the work set and any arrangements for submitting the work.
To support students working from home we will be emailing all parents of these students on Monday 4 January on how to access our live lesson platform, Microsoft Teams from home so please look out for that email. We will also let you know what to do if your child cannot access a laptop or similar.
Free school meals vouchers will be issued by email for those students who normally receive them.
Support for January Exams (Year 10 and 12 only)
All Year 10 students will be invited to an after-school online revision on Tuesday 5 January for the BTEC Digital ICT exam, which is due to take place on Tuesday 4 February. The mock exam for this subject will now take place on Friday 15 January.
Students who study OCR Enterprise and Marketing (Business) will have access to an after-school online revision session on Thursday 7 January. We will also arrange for additional revision on their return prior to the exam on Wednesday 13 January.
Any student in Year 12 who is sitting an exam in January will be contacted by their teacher to arrange additional revision in school prior to the exam.
Critical Worker and Vulnerable Student Provision
If you work in one of the identified critical worker areas, then we will be able to offer your child a place in our provision for the first week of term. Students will work in a designated area of the school and complete the same work as students working remotely from home. Additional support will be available for students who have additional needs (EHCP). Students would be expected to attend for the full four days. If you have any questions regarding this provision, please email a.mitchell@rvhschool.co.uk.
If you would like to apply for a place in this provision, please complete the form via the button below.
A list of critical worker and vulnerable student criteria can be found here.
Response required - Rapid Flow Testing
As part of the return to school, the Department of Education has published guidance on the use of Rapid Flow Testing in schools. We are still awaiting final information on how this will work in practice and we will write to parents with more details once this has been confirmed.
In preparation for the introduction of testing we would, however, like to seek your consent for your child to be tested.
This is a voluntary programme and the actual test (ie. nose swab for approximately 10 seconds per nostril) will be undertaken by the student themselves, under the supervision of a trained adult.
Please click on the button below and complete the the form to let us know whether you consent to your child taking the tests. We will not offer the test to any child without your consent.
It is proposed that students who are identified as a close contact of a positive student in school will be offered daily rapid tests, hence removing the requirement to self-isolate for 10 days. Any student whose parent does not wish them to take part in testing will be required to self-isolate and follow the school remote learning provision.
As school is now closed for the Christmas holidays, please be aware that a response to any emails will be delayed until we open for our INSET day on Monday 4 January, which will now also focus on the logistics of the testing programme.
Let us know if your child tests positive over the holidays
We are continuing to support the test and trace programme through contact tracing. If your child tests positive over the holidays, you must let us know via the form linked below.
We really regret that we have to send you this update right at the end of term and appreciate the stress and inconvenience caused to many, however, we continue to do whatever we can to follow all of the guidance needed to keep our community safe. Thank you for your understanding.
We wish you all the best for a lovely Christmas break and look forward to a brighter 2021.