Dear Parent/Carer
We hope everyone has had a great Summer and at the same time are looking forward to heading back to school!
We’ve had a really busy few weeks distributing school uniforms, celebrating the success of our amazing A level and GCSE students, and making some further improvements to the school site.
Covid-19
You will be aware that all restrictions have now been lifted. This means that students and staff will no longer be assigned to bubbles. We also anticipate that we will no longer be required to wear a face covering in school, anyone who wishes to can and we will be monitoring the government advice in relation to masks over the next week or so and may be in touch with an update prior to the start of term. We will continue to encourage a high level of personal cleanliness and regular hand sanitisation. Please note: Students are still advised to wear face coverings on school transport.
Students, staff and visitors should not come into school if they have symptoms or have had a positive test result. If students develop symptoms whilst in school, however mild, they will be sent home and asked to follow public health advice.
Anyone under 18, or any adult who has received both vaccinations, no longer needs to isolate following contact with a positive case – but they will be advised to take a PCR test.
Covid Testing
We would like to ask all students to undertake a LFD test at home the day before returning to school – these can be obtained free of charge from any pharmacy if required.
We will also be carrying out LFD testing at the beginning of term following government guidance: “As pupils will potentially mix with lots of other people during the summer holidays, all secondary school pupils should receive 2 on-site lateral flow device tests, 3 to 5 days apart, on their return in the autumn term.”
We will use existing consent for this testing, so if this has changed please let us know. If your child is new to UCC (or you’ve changed your mind on consent) then please complete this online Covid Testing Consent form ASAP: https://forms.gle/EcrGvYD82E8yPpqD6
Students will also be issued with home test kits to use twice weekly throughout September, when it is due to be reviewed.
Return to school
We will email home a copy of student timetables next week so they can see their form rooms and when they have PE etc. Now that restrictions have been lifted students are required to come to school in their full uniform and change here for their PE lessons – we will keep this under review.
Please ensure that you add funds to your child’s lunch account on www.ipayimpact.co.uk prior to their first day. Instructions are on our website if needed; https://ullswatercc.co.uk/parents/ipayimpact/. Any students that are in receipt of free school meals will have their allowance automatically added each day.
Uniform
Thank you to families who have collected new uniform orders over the last few weeks. This term only UCC skirts and jumpers will be permitted. Orders can continue to be placed over the course of the new term for any students who wish to wear the new uniform. As stated in our uniform guidance, trousers should be plain black and full length in style. School ties for Year 7s can be purchased from school prior to the start of term; www.ipayimpact.co.uk
Equipment
Students will be provided with a school planner at the start of the new term. Students in Years 8-11 should have a reading book. Year 7 students will be given the opportunity to borrow a reading book in the first few weeks of term. In addition to reading books and planners, all students should have pens (black to write in and red for improvements), pencils, a ruler and a mathematics set.
Thursday 2 September
Year 7 students start date (arrive no later than 8.50 and go straight to the Cumberland Hall)
Year 11 students return (go straight to form rooms)
Year 13 students return (go straight to form rooms)
Friday 3 September
Year 8, 9, 10 & 12 students return (go straight to form rooms)
Year 7, 11 & 13 students – day 2 (go straight to form rooms)
We are really looking forward to seeing everyone back – and welcoming our new students. We also have some exciting parent governor vacancies coming up – more information on that to follow later this week. In the meantime any queries please contact admin@ullswatercc.co.uk
Yours faithfully
Mr S Gilby
Headteacher