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