Uncategorised | 9th July 2022

Our Principal profiled in Schools Week

Abbie Thorrington has been featured in a three page article in Schools Week this week. We are immensely proud of our Principal’s achievement and the support and commitment she shows to our pupils. You can read the full article by clicking the PDF below:

Uncategorised | 22nd June 2022

Sky’s Digital Skills touring studio

Our students were the first to have the amazing opportunity of trying out Sky’s new Digital Skills touring studio. The scheme is aimed at year 8 students, however as the first school to have the opportunity, some students from years 7 & 9 were also able to get involved.

Our Principal, Abbie Thorrington, said that it was a privilege having them at school and the impact that they have had on the students that participated was inspiring.

13 year old Sky presenter Braydon Brent was in attendance of the launch, and said that watching the students use the equipment and technology has been absolutely phenomenal and he would highly recommend a job in the creative industry to anyone.

Uncategorised | 6th July 2021

Summer Celebration 2021

Uncategorised | 14th May 2021

Year 10 immunisation letter

Please click here for a letter from the immunisation team to for year 10 students.

Uncategorised | 1st March 2021

Update from Miss Thorrington regarding the wider opening of Ipswich Academy

01 March 2021

Dear students, parents and carers,

Following on from the Government announcement last week, and my subsequent correspondence, I am detailing below key information relating to your child’s education provision from Monday 8th March 2021. Paradigm Trust and Ipswich Academy are currently updating their risk assessment for full school re-opening. Once this has been approved, I will be sharing it with you. 

Full-opening of Ipswich Academy:

At present, the Government guidance states that students must return a negative lateral flow test prior to returning to the classroom. As a direct result, I have made the decision to stagger the start of the students’ return back into the classroom. The following groups will be attending on the to the following dates:

Monday 8thTuesday 9thWednesday 10thThursday 11thFriday 12th 
Open forKey worker and vulnerable studentsKey worker and vulnerable studentsKey worker and vulnerable students.
All year 10 and 11 students 
Key worker and vulnerable students.
All year 7, 10 and 11 students
All year groups back

Students who have not consented to testing will start back to school on the same day that their year group does. We strongly encourage you to sign up for the lateral flow testing to ensure that we create the safest learning environment for all students and staff. Please consent to testing by clicking here if you have not done so already.

Work for students from Monday 8th March- their year group start date: 

On Friday 5th March all students will be emailed their timetable for the week beginning 8th of March. Students will attend a live base group session each morning followed by a variety of pre-recorded lessons and written activities. 

Asymptomatic testing: 

In order for us to abide by Government expectations for students to undertake a  lateral flow test three times on site and then again once at home in the first two weeks after school reopens, we will be following a precise testing timetable. 

DateYear group AMYear group PM
Thurs 4th March1110
Fri 5th March79 – PARDI
Mon 8th March89G
Tues 9th March1110
Wed 10th MarchNo testing7
Thurs 11th March8

Text messages confirming exact times have been sent to parents – if you are still unsure please call us.

Will will continue testing beyond Thursday 11th March following a similar timetable to ensure students are tested 3 times in line with the guidance. 

We will be sending out a separate text message detailing the specific time slot for students to attend Ipswich Academy for testing, testing will be done in teaching sets. Students should attend promptly and enter the school premises by the double gates by the carpark. Students will then be directed towards the Sports Hall. If you have not received a text message by 4pm on Wednesday 3rd March, please contact the school. 

As per Government guidance, students will then be given their home test kit following the successful completion of their three in school tests. Students will not be given home test kits if they have not completed tests under supervision in school. 

Students who have tested positive for Covid 19 in the last 90 days cannot have a lateral flow test until after this date. If this is the case for your child, please inform the school so that we are aware. 

The school day from Wednesday 10th March:

We will be staggering the start and end of the school day. Year 10 and 11 students start at 08.45 and finish at 15.00. Year 7, 8 and 9 students start at 09.00 and finish at 15.15. Students will enter through specific doors, staff will be on hand to supervise students. 

Face coverings:

Face coverings will be mandatory for all students and staff whilst on site at Ipswich Academy until at least Easter in line with Government guidance. The only   exceptions will be:

  • those who are exempt, if your child is exempt then please make contact with the school prior to the 8th March;
  • when eating and drinking;  
  • participating in exercise or strenuous activity during PE lessons.

We encourage all students to bring their own face covering to school each day along with a sealable plastic bag for them to store their face covering whilst eating and drinking. We will have a small number of face coverings which we can supply students with in the event of theirs breaking.

We take the safety of the students and the staff very seriously at the academy and there will be a clear behaviour policy in place around the appropriate wearing of masks. We appreciate your support in reinforcing the importance of face coverings to your children.  

School uniform and PE kit:

Other than in exceptional circumstances, or in line with changes to Government guidance, we will continue to follow our standard uniform policies and staff dress code.

Uniforms do not need to be cleaned more often than usual or using any different methods.

If you envisage an issue with your child wearing the correct uniform, please contact the school prior to our full re-opening so that we can support on a case by case basis. 

On days where students have PE, students must come to school wearing their PE kit. There will be an opportunity for students to change into their school uniform after the lesson if they wish. 

Free school meals:

The National Voucher Scheme will end on Friday 5th March. Students requesting a packed lunch will therefore need to collect it from the school between 12.00-12.30pm on the days prior to their full-time education commencing. 

Laptop returns:

Until further notice students who were loaned a laptop can continue using them at home, this will enable students to complete additional work on Google Classroom at their convenience. 

Work for students if they have to self isolate:

For students who have to self isolate we will continue to provide school work via Google Classroom. We will provide more specific information about this if your child has to self isolate.  

Finally, and more positively, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to Ipswich Academy. As you know, we have been open during the whole lockdown and it will be good to get everyone back to classroom learning as soon as possible. The students are what make Ipswich Academy such a special place to be and I look forward to their return.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Your positive comments shared on the work we have been doing has been much appreciated and has been so reassuring to hear. I will communicate with you again once the risk assessment has been fully approved.



Abbie Thorrington
Principal 

Uncategorised | 24th February 2021

Update from Miss Thorrington

24 February 2021

Dear students, parents and carers,

Following on from the Government announcement on Monday, I would like to share with you the initial ‘headline information’ relating to your child’s education provision from Monday 8th March 2021. 

Extensive planning is already underway at Ipswich Academy to ensure the safety of staff and students, I will share plans with you in due course once they have been consulted on and finalised. 

Full-opening of Ipswich Academy:

Students will return to secondary education from Monday 8th March in line with Government guidance.

Testing:

Students who have consented to testing will participate in the asymptomatic testing programme to help break transmission links by identifying those who may be carrying the virus unknowingly. Students will be tested three times on site and then again once at home in the first two weeks after school reopens. We are currently planning the timetable for testing and not all students will be tested at the same point.  Students who have consented will not be returning to the classroom until they have reported back with a negative lateral flow test.

Again, following Government instructions, we will then be providing students with home kits for twice weekly testing thereafter.

Testing is voluntary, but strongly encouraged by the Government. If you are yet to consent for your child to undertake lateral flow testing in school, please click on the link to complete this. 

Face coverings:

Face coverings will be mandatory for all students whilst on site at Ipswich Academy until at least Easter in line with Government guidance. The only   exceptions will be:

  • those who are exempt, if your child is exempt then please make contact with the school prior to the 8th March;
  • when eating and drinking;  
  • participating in exercise or strenuous activity during PE lessons.

The expectation of all students is to maintain the safety of themselves and the safety of others. For this reason, we will have a clear policy around the correct and appropriate wearing of face coverings in school. Students will be made aware of this policy and will be expected to adhere to the rules in place. 

Prior to school re-opening, students need to continue with the fantastic work they have been completing remotely. All staff are incredibly proud of all students and  the work they have completed. I would also kindly ask parents and carers to complete the short questionnaire by clicking on the link to help us review and evaluate the online provision that we have been providing for students. 

In the coming week I will be working on the logistics of reopening Ipswich Academy and will be sharing these with you in advance of 8th March. If in the meantime you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school. 

Thank you for your ongoing support. 

Abbie Thorrington
Principal 

Uncategorised | 14th December 2020

IMPORTANT – Covid-19 update

14th December 2020

Dear parent or carer, 

We have been made aware that a member of our school community has tested positive for COVID 19.

We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

The small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 10 days.

The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19 

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.  

All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.

Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection 

The 10 day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home. 

If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.

Household members staying at home for 10 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community

If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

  • a new continuous cough
  • a high temperature
  • a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

Do

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds 
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • wash your hands as soon as you get home
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further Information

Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Yours sincerely

Abbie Thorrington
Principal 

Uncategorised | 13th November 2020

IMPORTANT – Covid-19 update

13th November 2020

For the attention of parents not directly contacted by the school on Friday 13th November.

Dear parent or carer, 

We have been made aware that a member of our school community has tested positive for COVID 19.

We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

The small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 14 days.

The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19 

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.  

All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.

Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection 

The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home. 

If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.

Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community

If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

  • a new continuous cough
  • a high temperature
  • a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

Do

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds 
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • wash your hands as soon as you get home
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further Information

Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Yours sincerely

Abbie Thorrington

Principal 

Uncategorised | 5th November 2020

Important: Covid-19 – letter to contacts

5 November 2020 

For attention of parents directly contacted by the school

Advice for Child to Self-Isolate for 14 Days  

Dear parent or carer, 

We have been made aware that we have a confirmed positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) at Ipswich Academy. 

We have followed the national guidance and have identified that your child  has been in close contact with the affected child. In line with the national guidance your child must stay at home and self-isolate until Wednesday 18th November. They will then return to school on the 19th November. 

If your child is well at the end of the 14 days period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities. 

Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the 14 day self-isolation period. 

Please see the link to: Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person

Work set for students during the 14 day isolation period

As previously communicated with you, we will be using Google classrooms to support students with their learning during their isolation period. Students have had a lesson this week familiarising them with the platform. From Friday 6th November work will be uploaded onto Google classrooms for students to complete by all of their subject teachers. All students who informed us that they do not have a laptop at home have been loaned a laptop today, please ensure these are returned on the 19th November. 

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19 

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119 .  


People who do not have symptoms should not request a test unless this has been specifically requested by Public Health England or the local authority.

All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.

The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home. If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.

Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community

If you are able can, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period

Please see the link to the PHE ‘Stay at Home’ Guidance:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Symptoms of COVID 19 

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

  • new continuous cough and/or
  • high temperature and/or
  • a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading 

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

Do

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds 
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • wash your hands as soon as you get home
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further Information

Further information is available at 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school. 

Once again, thank you for your support and swift action today.

Yours sincerely

Abbie Thorrington
Principal 

Uncategorised | 2nd November 2020

Use of face coverings at Ipswich Academy

2nd November 2020

Dear parents and carers, 

Following on from the announcement by the Government of a full lockdown starting Thursday 5th November, I have taken the decision to make face coverings compulsory for adults and students from Tuesday 3rd November for safety reasons. 

They will be compulsory for students on school site at all times unless:

a) you are sat down and eating/drinking or 

b) you are sat down in a classroom in a structured learning session led by an adult.

In some exceptional circumstances individuals may be exempt because they:

  • cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability;
  • speak to or provide assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expression to communicate.

If you think that your child might be exempt from wearing a face covering, please email the school directly and a member of the senior leadership team will be in contact with you prior to students returning on Tuesday 3rd November. We will then communicate any names with staff by 8.30am. 

Ipswich Academy does have a small supply of face coverings for students struggling to access one, where they are unable to use their face covering due to having forgotten it, or it having become soiled or unsafe. I would strongly encourage students to bring their own. 

Students who are not exempt from wearing a face covering and have been offered one and refuse will be isolated to ensure the safety of others. 

I will communicate the expectations and the safe wearing of face coverings to all students tomorrow morning during a virtual assembly. 

In the event of a confirmed case at Ipswich Academy I will seek immediate guidance from Public Health England and the Department of Education. I will then communicate this with you without delay. In the event that Ipswich Academy is advised to close a year group bubble or a full closure occurs we will support students’ education online through Google classrooms and regular welfare calls home. All students were invited to new Google classrooms by their teachers prior to the holiday, this week students will be trained again on using the platform. As we have done previously, we will be able to loan out computers and dongles if they are required. 

Extra curricular clubs and interventions will continue, we are however expecting further Government guidance. If anything changes then I will communicate with you. 

Finally, on days students have PE, please can students come wearing their PE kit. Correct PE clothing will be expected to be worn, it is not a ‘dress down’ day for students. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Once again, thank you for your continued support. 

Yours faithfully 

Abbie Thorrington
Principal 

Last updated November 2, 2020