Dear Parent/Carer

Re: Coronavirus Update

As you will be aware, last week the Government moved from the ‘contain’ phase of its coronavirus planning to the ‘delay’ phase. This action is intended to slow the spread of the virus in order to ensure that the National Health Service (NHS) is able to cope with demand for its services.

I am sure that parents / carers will agree that it is exceptionally important that as an organisation we support the Government in their efforts to delay the spread of the virus. Following a meeting last week with senior colleagues from across The GORSE Academies Trust, it has been agreed that effective Tuesday 17 March, additional preventative measures will be put in place to protect the health of our staff and students. These measures will be reviewed daily and will remain in place only for as long as is necessary.

  • Visits to the college by both members of public and parents will be strictly by appointment only. Wherever possible, parental meetings will take place over the phone, however, if a face to face meeting is required, this will need to be approved by the Principal in advance. Please contact the college by email at [email protected] to make such arrangements.
  • All overseas trips planned for the Easter break or earlier will now be cancelled or postponed.
  • All domestic trips planned for the remainder of this half term that involve our students coming into contact with students from other schools will be cancelled or postponed.
  • Assemblies will be cancelled for the remainder of this half term.
  • Work experience placements will be postponed until later in the academic year.
  • Sports Fixtures against other schools will be postponed until after Easter at the earliest.

The measures outlined above are taken to support the delay of the spread of the virus. We ask that all staff, students and parents continue to follow Government advice in relation to self-isolating for 7 days should you display symptoms of a continuous cough or a high temperature. Where parents contact the academy to advise that a student is self-isolating, this will be recorded as ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ absence and will not impact on your son/daughter’s overall attendance and will not affect their eligibility to sit external examinations.

I would like to thank all parents / carers for their continued support during this unprecedented time and will endeavour to keep you informed if the situation changes.

Yours faithfully

David Holtham
Principal