Dear Parents/Carers,
Following on from the letters sent home for Mrs Collins last week, I wanted to write to you all and go through the Year 8 specific details for your child’s COVID-19 testing in school and return to the academy. I am really looking forward to having all of Year 8 back in school with us for face to face education and I hope that your child is looking forward to coming back too.
As always, change does sometimes bring with it anxiety and I want to assure you and your child that we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that The Leigh Academy is as safe as possible, as well as delivering high quality teaching and learning.
COVID Testing
The times for Year 8 testing will be on Friday 5th March, Wednesday 10th March and Tuesday 16th March.
Test 1 – Friday 5th March
| Year 8 | Surname |
| 12pm – 12.30pm
12.30pm – 1pm |
Chaucer A – L
Chaucer M – Z |
| 1pm – 1.30pm
1.30 – 2pm |
Darwin A – L
Darwin M – Z |
| 2pm – 2.30pm
2.30pm -3pm |
Brunel A – L
Brunel M – Z |
| 3pm – 3.30pm
3.30pm – 4pm |
Da Vinci A – L
Da Vinci M – Z |
Students will come into school for their COVID test and then go straight home. Students can wear their own clothes and should also wear a face covering/mask. They will enter via the main reception and line up in the PE corridor before going into the sports hall which has been transformed into our COVID testing centre. We have been testing on site throughout January and we have a trained team of staff ready to support every child to carry out their COVID test.
In order for students to participate in the COVID testing a consent form must be completed by parents/carers. This only has to be completed once. Students will then have had 3 COVID tests in school over the next fortnight and will then be asked to test twice weekly at home. Further details re home testing will be sent out after 8th March.
Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th March
Year 8 students will remain at home, completing remote learning set in their Google Classrooms.
Return to The Leigh Academy
Year 8 students will return to the academy on Wednesday 10th March.
On this day all Year 8 students will have their COVID Test 2, wait for their results and then go into school for the remainder of the day. Students will have an extended tutor time session to support them in their return to the academy, support their wellbeing and discuss their academic progress since working at home. Full school uniform must be worn this day onwards.
Students will need to arrive at the academy at the following times to do their second test and go into their tutor time/lessons until the end of the day as usual.
Test 2 – Wednesday 10th March
| Year 8 | Surname |
| 8.am – 8.30.am
8.30am – 9.am |
CH3
CH4 |
| 9.am – 9.30am
9.30am – 10.am |
DA3
DA4 |
| 10.am – 10.30am
10.30am – 11.am |
BR3
BR4 |
| 11.am – 11.30am
11.30 – 12.pm |
DV3
DV4 |
Year 8 full timetabled lessons will resume on Thursday 11th March. Students must be on the Basketball court by 8.15am ready for the lineup and registration before entering the building.
Year 8 will then have Test 3 in school on Tuesday 16th March. This will take place throughout the day and will not affect the start or end time of their school day.
Reminders
From Wednesday 10th March, when Year 8 returns, all students will need to be in full academy uniform, following our usual high expectations with natural colour hair and no artificial nails and only one pair of earrings. Please spend the week before then ensuring that your child is fully prepared and equipped for learning. All students will be expected to arrive at school between 8.15am – 8.25am and will line up in their Tutor Groups on the basketball court.
Chromebooks
Students will be required to bring their Chromebook into school each day, fully charged and will be responsible for their device. If your child has borrowed a loaned Chromebook during the lockdown period, they will be expected to bring this into school to return on their first full day back. We will continue to support any students who do not have a device to work from and fill any gaps in provision as we can. Students will be using Chromebooks in lessons to support their learning and to access applications and software used in digital classroom tasks.
Knowledge Organisers
The Knowledge Organiser is a useful tool that contains the content of the learning for every subject for the whole term, supporting students in their revision, with home learning tasks, classwork and wider learning opportunities. Please find a copy of your child’s Knowledge Organiser for Module 4 attached.
Face Masks
Upon our return to the academy, we will be following the recommended guidance and asking students to continue to wear face masks, including during lessons and at any point where social distancing cannot be maintained. We encourage students to also bring a spare mask and a plastic bag to keep their mask in when eating or not in use. If your child is medically exempt from wearing a face mask then we can provide a clear visor which may be more appropriate. Please ensure all medical exemption evidence is shared with your child’s Student Service Manager.
Finally, we understand the last few months have been extremely difficult for many different reasons. Our priority is the well-being and safety of your son/daughter and ensuring they continue with the educational journey as smoothly as possible. The Year 8 Leadership team and our Tutors will continue to support any issues they may have and will continue to stay in contact with you all with updates on the Year 8 Google Classroom and communication via emails or letters home over the next few months.
In the meantime, if you have any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact your son/daughters Tutor, Mr Jalloh (Student Services Manager), Miss Smith (Assistant Head of Year 8) or myself and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully,
Stuart Lindars
Head of College
Leading on Year 7 and Year 8
