Dear all,

I wanted to update you following the Prime Minister's announcement yesterday that schools will return from Monday 8th March. The staff and I are incredibly excited to welcome your children back. 

You may also be aware that schools will be required to test students for COVID three times over the first fortnight back. As I'm sure you can imagine, this is very time consuming - with all staff doing nothing but testing, it will still take us close to two full days to test all students. As a result, it is likely that students' returns will need to be staggered over the first week (8th-12th March), and I will write to you again by the end of this week once we have confirmed the schedule. 

The government have also suggested that, from 22nd March, parents will be given kits so that children can be tested at home each week. Again, I will update you when we receive further details.

In the meantime, if you haven't already given consent for your child to be tested, it will help us hugely if you could do so by clicking here to avoid any delays while testing. If you do not wish to give your consent, it would really help us if you could fill out the form and indicate this on the final question so that we are aware. Now may also be a good time to check your child's uniform in case they've shot up since December! 

Finally, we would very much welcome any volunteers who can help us with the testing process, on some or all of the days between 8th and 19th March. Full PPE and training will be provided - I'm very grateful to those of you who have already been in touch to offer your help. If you would like to be involved, please email [email protected] for further details.

Best wishes,

Mr Farmbrough