Standards and Expectations

Dear Parents/Carers,

I hope this letter finds you well and that your child is just as excited about returning to the academy as we are for their return. Below is a list of important information regarding your son’s/daughter’s return to school. As always, change does sometimes bring with it anxiety and I want to assure you and your child that we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that Wilmington Academy is as safe as possible, as well as delivering high quality teaching and learning. In order for a confident and seamless start back, your support in going through the contents of this letter with your child/children would be most appreciated.

Attendance

Students are required to return to full time face-to-face learning during the week commencing 8 March. Please ensure that your child returns to the academy on the specified date below, as we are having a staggered start to the week.  Students should arrive by 8.30am and make their way to their usual designated entrance outlined in the table below.

In the event your child is too unwell to attend please contact the school on 01322 272111  and press the option for your child’s college or email admin@wilmingtonacademy.org.uk and include your child’s full name, year group and college with a brief description as to why they are absent.  (Please note, if parents/carers decide not to send their child/ren back to school on the date set out below, this will be recorded as an unauthorised absence).

Upon their return to the academy, students will go directly to their timetabled lesson for period 1. The initial part of this lesson will involve a re-integration induction presentation ensuring students are made aware of our Covid-19 protocols.

Uniform & Equipment

Please take time over the next few days to ensure that your child has the correct uniform and equipment to minimise any potential disruption on their return. This includes wearing suitable shoes (trainers are not permitted).

Uniform

Equipment

Students should return with a suitable school bag (able to hold an A4 folder), pencil case which contains; 2x blue/black pens, a red pen, 2 pencils, rubber, sharpener and highlighter. A glue stick and colour pencils are also welcomed but are not compulsory. Students will also require specific equipment for PE, science and maths such as their PE kit and a scientific calculator.

In addition, students should have a reading book, a face mask, and a bottle of water. Please inform the relevant college if your son/daughter is missing some equipment as we will try and assist where possible.

Water Bottles and Lunches

Students will require a packed lunch until Thursday 11 March as there will be no food service available in the restaurant. All children should bring their own labelled water bottle also. We have made some changes to the break/lunch areas. Students will be informed of these changes through their tutor group Google Classroom and during the transition presentation when they return. I have outlined the main changes to break/lunch locations below:

Safety Measures

The safety of our students and staff is paramount. Measures will also be in place and enforced to minimise risk and these will include:

• Regular handwashing and hand sanitising throughout the day

• Students must wear a face mask that covers their mouth and nose when inside the academy buildings, including when in classrooms (unless they have a medical exemption)

• Social distancing must be observed when moving around the academy site

• Instruction as to how to move safely around the academy if necessary, e.g. to designated outdoor areas and toilets

• Learning spaces, and where appropriate play spaces, will be thoroughly cleaned with antiviral cleaner at the end of each day

• Expectations about sneezing, coughing, tissues and disposal (‘catch it, bin it, kill it’) as well as the importance of avoiding touching the mouth, nose and eyes with hands, will be reinforced.

• Students experiencing symptoms of coronavirus will be isolated immediately and parents/carers will be contacted

• Wellbeing support will be made available to support students during the transition back to school

• In line with Government guidance the Academy Behaviour Policy and Home Academy Agreement has been amended to reflect these changes and this can be found on our website. Any student intentionally not complying with the new guidelines within school will be sanctioned accordingly and parents/carers informed. This is to safeguard the whole of the school community.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support and please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything we are able to do to support your child with their transition back into school.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Anthony Farr 

Assistant Principal – Jupiter College 

SLT Lead for Attendance, Behaviour and Wellbeing