Headteachers Letter to Parents and Carers – 22nd May

22nd May 2020Mrs L Thompson

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to update you on our current position regarding the potential re opening of school in June.

As I am sure you will be aware there is a great deal of debate in the Media about the ongoing discussions regarding the Governments proposed strategy to for the re-opening of Education and childcare settings from the 1st June.

We all want to get back to normal as soon as possible and our staff would love to be delivering lessons again to all our students.  However, as throughout this challenging period we are always going to put the health and well-being of our students and staff first.

We have been asked to open school for face to face support for Year 10 students only.  The aim is to support the remote learning we have in place on Google Classroom with this year group.   The Government at this time have no plans to re-open secondary schools for any other year groups before the summer holidays.

The Government have clearly stated that any changes will only happen when the five key test that they set are met and that the infection rate has decreased.  The Government will be reviewing the scientific data on the 28th May and that will inform the final decision to press ahead or delay.

However, the decisions on when to re-open still rests with the school and we are currently looking at possible solutions and strategies to enable Year 10 face to face sessions.  These plans have to be carefully considered and subject to consultation with the Governing Body, staff, unions, parents and carers.

We are conducting a range of risk assessments and considering all health and safety factors and the logistics are very complex.  The school has to be Covid 19 Secure.  As you know social distancing has significantly contributed to the reduction of the infection rate and as school we must maintain effective social distancing at all times.  This is not an easy task in a school site with narrow corridors, small classrooms etc.

Before opening, many logistical changes will need to be made to ensure school is safe.

  • Continue to develop the Online Learning – Google Classrooms
  • Staffing coverage to run effectively
  • Making Classrooms Covid Secure – Social Distancing 2m etc.
  • Transport to school and logistics
  • Safe entry and exit of the school building
  • Staggered starts and finish of sessions / face to face
  • Movement around school – one ways systems
  • Resources and IT access
  • Signage  around school
  • Behaviour, routines and expectations
  • Uniform expectations
  • Procedures for dealing with students with  potential Covid 19 symptoms

 

Also our local context must be considered and advice we have received from Wigan Local Authority is that we should consider opening for the 8th June not the 1st of June due to the current situation locally.

So following that advice and we will not be opening school for Year 10 from the 1st of June at this point.  We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated when we can confirm our proposed strategy for the future based on the Governments scientific findings and recommendations.

Pleased be assured we will do everything we can to make sure school is safe and we have a sustainable plan for the future.

Finally can I also say a big thanks for all the support with home schooling and encouraging the children to participate with Google Classroom and coaching activities.  We have continued to be amazed by the commitment and quality of work the students are producing.

Online learning will continue for the rest of this term and is essential for students progress. We will be reviewing and developing the delivery as we go through the term.

This week we would also have seen the start of the GCSE exams season and we know Year 11 are still apprehensive and concerned regarding the GCSE grades this summer.  I would like to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to ensure students get the grades they deserve.

This is continues to be a challenging time and as a Shevington Family we will work together to ensure the young people get the best possible education experience at this time.

Look after your loved ones and stay safe.

Yours sincerely

Mr J Grant

Headteacher

 

Parent and Carers Letter from the Headteacher

Royal Air Force Recruitment – Online access to Year 11 and 13 students

19th May 2020Mrs L Thompson

Due to COVID19 government defined measures, the application timeline may increase slightly but the RAF are still recruiting across a number of positions.

If you have expressed an interest in the RAF; or are still unsure of what avenue you wish to go down, the RAF recruitment doors are very much open and offer a range of apprenticeships to apply for immediately, regardless of results.

If you are looking for more information, you can browse the role brochures on the RAF Recruitment

App (iPhone & Android) and also find out more information or apply on the RAF Recruitment website

– www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment

For more general RAF interest the RAF website is excellent www.raf.mod.uk

The RAF also have an Instagram page so if you have any questions, please go to: @rafcareersmanchester

Below is a little more information about the RAF and some of the roles that you are eligible to apply for NOW:

Benefits of an RAF apprenticeship

  • Award-winning education
  • Continued support from Apprenticeship to degree
  • Transferrable skills
  • Opportunities to travel the world
  • Competitive salaries
  • Post training >20k per year

 

Engineering

Logistics

Air Operations

Personnel Support

Force Protection

    Regiment Gunner

Stand by Us!

13th May 2020Mr D Meekin

Mr Beaton and friends are proud to present Stand by Me.

To help our staff and students through this lockdown period, Mr Beaton has been asking staff and students to sing and play along to a number of songs.

Stand by Me is the first release of songs to remind everyone to stand by each other until we return to some shape of normality.