Headmaster's Message

Message From The Headmaster

I am sure that we were all delighted to hear this week that the further easing of COVID restrictions has been confirmed from Monday 17 May 2021. With infection rates nationally at their lowest since August and the vaccination deployment programme moving apace, it would appear that life is starting to return to normal at last, although the latest “variant of concern” does ring some alarm bells.

Following this news, we have also received further guidance this week from the Department for Education. The main changes which apply to schools involve face coverings. I am delighted to confirm that from Monday 17 May pupils will generally no longer have to wear face coverings in most classrooms. We are going to keep all other safety measures in place such as one-way systems and masks will continue to be worn by pupils and staff in areas where social distancing is not possible, such as communal areas and whilst moving around inside the building. We will review the situation after half term.

In accordance with advice from Public Health England, pupils must still wear a face covering on the school bus services and we would ask that they continue to sit in their allocated seats.

Any visitors to the school will need appointments and will also be required to wear a face covering.

These rules do not, of course, apply to those who are exempt from wearing face coverings.

The government has also confirmed that the twice weekly lateral flow home testing of staff and pupils will remain for the time being in order to control infection rates. We thank everyone for their continued support with this measure which is working well and keeping everyone safe. We should bear in mind, however, that in a number of local schools, groups of pupils, or even whole year groups, have been sent home in the past week because of confirmed cases – something we are keen to do all we can to avoid.

I am pleased to report that the Final Internal Assessments appear to be going very smoothly for the Year 11s and Upper Sixth and Dr Reddish has written in more detail on this and the Teacher Assessed Grades which can be found here in the Academic Section of this newsletter. I wish all the other year groups well as pupils prepare for their end of year assessments before Half Term.

Looking further ahead, we are delighted that school fixtures return after half term and we are making arrangements for parents to be able to spectate at weekends – we will send you further details nearer the time. As we know, Monday 21 June is the next significant date when further restrictions are to be relaxed. If all goes well, we will be able to remove the “bubbling” of individual year groups and we are planning to re-introduce Vertical Tutoring thereafter which we are very excited about. Full details regarding how and when we do this will be sent through after Half Term.

With the significant changes ahead, please do check the on-line calendar for any additions and amendments. Some of the key upcoming events after Half Term are: 

  • Wednesday 16 June: Exam reports for Years 7, 8 and 10 published
  • Wednesday 23 June: Year 7 Parents’ Open Evening
  • Thursday 24 June: Summer Art, Photography and Design Show
  • Friday 25 June: Full reports for Year 9 and Lower Sixth published
  • Sunday 27 June: PTA Summer Fête, Motoring Festival and Summer Art, Photography and Design Show

With all best wishes to you and your families.

Ed Hester