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