Time seems to go so fast at the moment, and it remains hard to keep up with the changes facing schools and hence our students. Last week, we wrote home to confirm that all students will return to school on Monday 8 March, a week’s time. Prior to this, all students will be offered a Lateral Flow COVID test, this will be followed by two further tests in school, before students are then given tests to complete bi-weekly at home. Year groups will attend for their tests as follows:

• Wednesday 3 March: Year 13, 12 and 11
• Thursday 4 March: Year 10 and 9
• Friday 5 March: Year 8 and 7

Details of which classes come to school when, will be sent to parents and carers on Monday. Students will not be set any home learning on the day of their test. They should use this for any catch-up that they need to undertake. We know that some students will feel anxious about this test, please to talk to us, so that we can support students through this. Student support officers and Heads of Year will be present with their year groups on the testing days this week, to give a friendly smile and a warm welcome.

We also heard on Thursday last week that students will be given Centre-Assessed Grades for their BTEC, GCSE and A Level studies this summer. We will share more details of what this means when students return to school. Most importantly, we want to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to support their achievement of the best possible grade. We want to support their progression to the next stage in their education/career by giving them the knowledge, skills and learning habits that they will benefit from in the future. Finally, we want to provide an engaging return to school that maximises the in-class experience.

On Tuesday this week, we look forward to talking to Year 10 parents and carers about the progress their son or daughter is making and eagerly anticipating their return to school.