On Monday 4th January, the Prime Minister announced another national lockdown in response to the surging cases of coronavirus. This lockdown requires everyone to stay at home other than for very specific reasons.
All schools will be closed until further notice and only vulnerable pupils and the children of critical workers will be on site.
We will provide home learning via MS Teams/Satche:One for all students during this lockdown.
All lessons and learning will take place on MS Teams and pupils should follow their normal school timetable. All students are expected to engage with their learning from home.
If students don’t have access to any form of technology at home or have forgotten their login details, they should contact their year leader
Exams
The Education Secretary has confirmed that GCSEs and A and AS Level exams will NOT go ahead this summer. He has also confirmed that they will use a form of teacher assessed grades and that these will be applied fairly and consistently and will be externally moderated. We don’t have any more detail on this at the moment but we will let you know as soon as we can.
For many students, who have worked so hard this year in challenging circumstances, we know this will be very difficult news to hear. It is vital that ALL students continue to keep studying to put themselves in the strongest position, whatever the final decision about exams. The school is here to support you and we will do everything we can to ensure you progress to the next stage of your education.
Please continue to check our website for further details. For pupils taking GCSE, AS and A Level exams this year, we will be in touch with you directly.
Vulnerable Students
If your child is considered vulnerable, the school will have been in contact with you directly.
Children of Critical Workers
If both parents (or the only parent) are critical workers and there is NO OTHER OPTION for you but to send your child to school, then they are able to attend school. Students should attend in full school uniform.
You can find details of who qualifies as a critical worker here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision.
If you are a Critical Worker and you have NO OTHER OPTION but to send your child to school, please contact the school.
Free School Meals
Student eligible for Free School Meals will receive vouchers from Edenred, in the same format as over the Christmas holidays.
Details of where the vouchers can be used are available at the Edenred are available on their website.
National Lockdown
England is currently in a national lockdown.
You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.
You should follow this guidance immediately. The law reflects these new rules.
Leaving home
You must NOT leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:
- shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
- go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
- exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
- meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
- seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
- attend education or childcare – for those eligible
Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open.
Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses.
If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work
Meeting others
You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).
You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble.
You should not meet other people you do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.
Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household.
Mass Testing
What is the school doing for mass testing?
The Government announced that they will be introducing mass lateral flow testing for pupils and staff in secondary schools from January 2021. These are rapid tests with results available within one hour. These plans have obviously changed but we will start introducing testing for those on site shortly.
How does it work?
The aim is that all students are tested twice on their return to school. These tests should be 3 – 5 days apart. If your child is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they will be offered daily testing for 7 days. If they test positive, they will be sent home and you should book a lab based PCR test or use the one the school supplies you with. We will provide further details about this in due course.
When will the school start this testing?
The school will have this operational for staff and students on site very shortly.
Do I have to consent to my child taking part?
Yes – these tests are optional but you are strongly encouraged to take part. They will help identify students who are asymptomatic who will then need to self-isolate.
To give your consent please click here.
What if my child doesn’t want to do it?
You are strongly encouraged to discuss this with your child and take part. If you do not give consent, then your child will not be tested and will be sent home if they are identified as a close contact of a pupil and they will need to isolate as per the Government guidelines.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
NHS 5 Ways to Wellbeing
NHS Mental Health Support during Covid-19 (Poster)
NHS Mental Health Support during Covid-19 (Contact Numbers)
NHS Mental Health Support in Leicestershire (Guide for Young People)
NHS Mental Health Support for Children, Young People and Families during Covid-19
Arrangements for March 2021
Yr 11 – Arrangements for school opening March 2021
Yr 9- Arrangements for school opening March 2021
Department for Education coronavirus helpline
The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday), 10am to 4pm (Saturday to Sunday)
RMA Information
TMET Privacy Notice – COVID-19 Testing (v1.0)
Covid 10 Contract FINAL September MASKS
COVID-19 Current Schools Risk Assessment
Safeguarding Information
RMA Blended Learning and Remote Teaching Offer
Useful Websites for Parents 2020
Useful Links to Websites for Parents
Covid-19 Fire Evacuation Procedures Key Workers
Other Useful Information
Guidance for Parents of GCSE children
Coronavirus Information – What Should I Do? (BBC)
Remote Learning Tips For Students & Parents
Education Guidance
Supporting your Child’s Wellbeing
Department of Education Parent & Carer Information
TMET COVID19 – School safeguarding policy Rushey Mead Academy
Dfe guidance on face coverings
Exams 2021 – QA for parents
Supporting your pupils through the COVID-19 pandemic (youngminds.org.uk)
Social Stories for Young and Old on Covid 19 – HMEA’s Autism Resource Central
Make A Positive Difference