Restrictions

Whilst we are pleased with the measures that we have already undertaken to protect students and staff in the school, we all welcome the potential to relax restrictions.

We also need to be aware of the continued risk that Covid presents to the health of our community and the potential disruption it will cause to education, either through staff or student absence.

I am pleased that Chilwell school has escaped significant disruption, but I am also mindful of the fact that individuals within the school have experienced significant illness or enforced absence from the classroom. Today we have in total over a hundred people not in school as a result of illness, isolation or other reason.

We want to do everything to continue to protect our students and staff and so whilst the government are stating that from "Thursday 20 January, face coverings are no longer recommended in classrooms and teaching spaces for staff, and pupils and students in year 7 and above," we would encourage students where they feel able to continue to wear masks. At present the use of masks is still to be used in communal areas and this restriction is not lifted until Thursday 27th January. Similarly, when we reach this date, we would ask that where possible, students continue to wear masks, not directly for their own protection, but in the shared responsibility we have for each other's health and well-being. We are aware that the decision will be different for different students and families, but those who wish to continue to wear masks at all times will be welcomed and supported.

We also consider how the relaxation of restrictions may affect school events and the possibility of students and staff meeting in larger groups. We will be meeting with faculty and year leaders before the half-term break to agree which events and activities can be amended so that students can get as much freedom as possible without significantly compromising their health.

We already have activities week planned and the current direction of travel means that we can be more confident that the opportunities in that week will take place, but we also have other activities to consider, such as sports day, face to face evening events and the opportunity for our community to be together. I anticipate that we will have some further changes that will be in place after the half-term break.

Year eleven revision / intervention sessions

Students in year eleven and their parents will have received details today of our revision / intervention programme that starts next week at 3.10pm each day. We encourage students to attend and make the best of the opportunities that we offer.