Return to School (March 21)

We are delighted to be able to welcome students back from this week. As previously communicated Penrice have staggered the return to school to allow students to be tested three times for Covid 19 prior to returning to school. For information about the testing schedule and process please click here.

Students will return to school as follows:

Year 11 – Friday 12 March ( Year 11 should arrive at school for registration at 8.30am)

Year 10 – Friday 12 March (Year 10 should arrive at school for registration at 8.30am)

Year 9 – Monday 15 March (Year 9 should arrive at school for registration at 8.30am)

Year 8 – Monday 15 March (Year 8 should arrive at school for registration at 8.25am)

Year 7 – Monday 15 March (Year 7 should arrive at school for registration at 8.25am)

Full details about the return to school for each year group can be found in the letters sent out on Friday 5th March – copies of these letters can be downloaded from the list below.

Please be mindful that we are still in a period of national lockdown and are therefore following strict Government guidelines for reopening schools.

Face Coverings

The updated Government guidelines for schools specifies that students are recommended to wear a face covering, at all times, whilst indoors, where 2-meter social distancing cannot be maintained. This will mean that all students (except those with exemptions) will need to wear face coverings in classrooms.

More information on face coverings and full list of exemptions can be found here. Please notify the school if you feel your child is exempt from wearing a mask.

We recommend that your child bring at least one spare face covering, so they can swap if one gets damp during the school day.

Uniform

Upon their return, all students will be required to be in full school uniform, including their PE kit. Our school uniform continues to be a key part of our school’s identity and ethos.  Maintaining high standards in school uniform is very important to us because it supports our school ethos of togetherness and unity.    Again, we are very proud of the high standards we maintain with our school uniform and, as ever, we appreciate your support in ensuring your child is wearing the correct uniform every day that they are in school.  We understand that during these challenging times some families may be experiencing some financial hardship and are having difficulties in sourcing uniform.

If you do require support with any items of school uniform then please do let us know and we will see what we can do to support you.  Please email our Student Support Team Leader, Mrs K Hooper (khooper@penrice.org.uk) who will be happy to discuss any support your needs.

The video below from Y6 transition details the uniform expectations:

Testing

Asymptomatic (AST) testing is an important tool in breaking the transmission of Covid 19, but should only be used as a routine test where no symptoms are displayed.

Following your child’s three on-site asymptomatic tests, they will be required to complete two tests per week (on a Sunday and Wednesday) at home. A reminder we strongly encourage your child to test but it is a voluntary process. If your child takes a home test pack after their third in school test, you are giving your consent to test at home. In the unlikely event that a test result is positive, please contact the school absence line and all household members are required to self isolate for 10 days.

If your child or any member of the household shows any Covid 19 symptoms, they should book a Covid PCR test following this link.

Covid 19 symptoms include:

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

Parents and other adults in households with children at school or college, who do not have symptoms, can now access regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. This includes childcare and support bubbles.  Tests are fast, easy and completely free. There are different ways for a household, childcare or support bubble to collect their test to take at home, twice weekly:

through your employer, if they offer testing to employees
by collecting a home test kit from a local test site – anyone aged 18 or over can collect 2 packs of 7 tests
by ordering a home test kit online – please do not order online if you can access testing through other routes, this frees up home delivery for those who need it most

For further details please click here to visit the GOV.UK site. If you have any queries about the tests, and you live in England, please call 119 (free from mobiles and landlines). Lines are open every day from 7am to 11pm.

Covid Control Measures

Our first priority is to keep all our staff and students as safe as possible. A copy of our full risk assessment and in school protocols can be found in the list of downloadable document below.

In Summary:

Those who have coronavirus symptoms, or who have someone in their household who does, should not attend Penrice Academy and should phone the absence line. Symptoms include: a new continuous cough, a high temperature, a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
follow advice by NHS track and trace to self-isolate if required
face covering to be worn at all times whilst inside the building and where social distancing cannot be maintained
cleaning hands more often than usual – hand sanitizer available in all classrooms at entrances and in other communal areas
ensuring good respiratory hygiene by promoting the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach
cleaning frequently touched surfaces using spray and cloth/wipes provided in all classrooms, staffroom and toilets
ensuring all indoor spaces to be well ventilated – windows and doors will be kept open where possible
students to sit facing the front where possible in lessons
all breaks will be outside (except in extreme weather conditions), and all students will follow the exterior routes around the school to – please remember to bring a warm and waterproof coat.