Thank you to all the parents who have supported the Year 8 blended learning at home this week. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the staff who adapted their lessons overnight to deliver online lessons from Tuesday. It is a challenging time for teachers who have to change the way they teach and the content of their lessons for these very different circumstances. We have had some really positive feedback from students and teachers and it has been great to see the students engaging online.
Unfortunately our staffing situation has continued to challenge this week, especially with the additional pressure of clinically extremely vulnerable staff now being instructed to work at home. It is with great regret that we will need to move Year 9 to online learning next week. Year 8 will expected to return to us on Monday 9th November.
We also need to move to a rotation for Years 12 and 13. Year 12 will be learning online at home during the week beginning Monday 9th November. Year 12 will then return to the academy for the week beginning Monday 16th November. Year 13 will be in the academy during the week beginning Monday 9th November. Year 13 will then switch to online learning for the week beginning Monday 16th November.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and hope to return to full capacity as soon as possible.
Can I please remind parents that students should be in school by 8.40am as the gates will be closed at this time. The school day ends at 2.45pm.
The wearing of masks by all students and staff in communal areas is now compulsory in all schools. We are still providing masks for students who forget, however we are unable to maintain this indefinitely with the current number of students attending without a mask. Please ensure students have a mask each day for school. Students may be denied transport if they do not have a mask on the bus.
We are looking at various options for parents evenings this year and a questionnaire will be sent to all parents in the near future.
I am sure you will join me in sending our best wishes for a speedy recovery for all students and staff who are currently ill; we hope they will join us again very soon.
Kind regards
Karen Squire
Principal
John Port Spencer Academy