Dear Parents/Carers
In a change to the original plans for Module 4, the academy will continue to be closed until at least Monday 8th March 2021. This is in line with recent Government announcements, that schools nationally should remain closed, with the hope that it will be deemed safe enough by experts for schools to reopen on this later date. We will hopefully have more clarity after the Government announcement scheduled for around 22nd February and, as always, we will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any further arrangements as necessary.
As has been the case in my previous communications, those students who are children of critical workers or who are vulnerable children are able to continue to attend the academy. All parents/carers of children of critical workers or vulnerable children must complete the form using this link here, which will assist us to plan effectively. If you have already completed the form, you are not required to do this again. If you have indicated that you would like your child to attend but your circumstances change, please inform us via admin@thehalleyacademy.org.uk
The current routine of remote learning will continue for students, with all lesson resources provided on Google Classroom. We are impressed and proud of the work that our students are completing, and we thank you for encouraging them to engage and submit their work. Our staff, at every level, have been supporting students with their learning and we have enjoyed developing our provision with the introduction of live tutor time. From the positive experience of all in our live tutor time sessions, we are now delivering this live element to some of our weekly lessons. This is a credit to the students’ commitment and keen thirst for learning and our staff’s eagerness to develop their teaching styles for the benefit of our students. We have also considered your feedback on our remote learning provision and we hope that you enjoy this next stage of our digital strategy, as this exciting progress in our remote offer enables us to secure the best educational experience for students. If you have any questions or queries regarding remote learning, please contact the academy via home.learning@thehalleyacademy.org.uk
For parents of students in Year 13 and Year 11, I am particularly grateful for your encouragement of your son/daughter to continue to complete the set work. Whilst we await confirmed decisions on how students will be graded, it is becoming clear that students will be awarded grades using a variety of evidence. This evidence will include different forms of assessment and will also most likely include the work that students have completed and are currently completing through remote learning. It is therefore vital that all students in Years 11 and 13 engage in all learning tasks set through their Google Classrooms in order for them to achieve the very best as every student deserves.
As we look towards the half term break, the academy will not be open to any student, including those of critical workers and vulnerable students. This includes Friday 12th February 2021 which is an academy INSET day. There is no expectation for education to continue during this week and we encourage everyone in our community to have a well-earned break. Our remote learning programme will finish at 2.45pm on Thursday 11th February and resume at 8.30am on Monday 22nd February.
We will continue with our system of contact tracing throughout the half term holiday and Module 4. Therefore, if your child tests positive for Covid-19, please inform us via admin@thehalleyacademy.org.uk
Please do keep in touch with your child’s small school if you require any support, and I hope you and your family keep safe during this time.
Have a restful half term holiday.
Yours faithfully
John Dixon | Principal