Dear Parent/Carer
First let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year; I hope you and your families enjoyed the festive period.
As you will be well aware, the Prime Minister announced last night that we have been placed back into a national lockdown and, as a result and in line with the national guidance, the school is now closed to all students except the children of critical workers.
Teaching and learning has, as of this morning, has once again been moved back online in the form of remote learning through Google Classrooms until February half term.
With this in mind, please let me draw your attention to the page on our website dedicated to remote learning. This should be a first port of call and may answer a lot of questions and queries you may have: https://ullswatercc.co.uk/remote-education-provision-information-for-parents/
We also provide guidance on Google Classrooms, both in pdf and video form:
https://ullswatercc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/GC-Parent-Student-Guide.pdf
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlGdDJlH_xSIb48n7ORYEHkJExJqoY_gN
With regard to lateral flow testing, we may still undertake this when school reopens and will provide more updates closer to that time. We will retain details of those parents who have already consented to this being undertaken and continue to encourage everyone to take a look at the purpose of this programme of testing.
We appreciate that the current situation will be incredibly difficult for some families to manage and may cause distress to our students. If you are concerned about your child during this period of school closure, please contact school via email using the contact details below. If your child wishes to contact their Form Tutor or Head of Year, they can do so using their school email address.
Head of Year 7 – gkey@ullswatercc.co.uk
Head of Year 8 – mforrest@ullswatercc.co.uk
Head of Year 9 – scooper@ullswatercc.co.uk
Head of Year 10 – cjones@ullswatercc.co.uk
Head of Year 11 – mcastle@ullswatercc.co.uk
Head of Sixth Form – rjackson@ullswatercc.co.uk
SENDCo – rridley@ullswatercc.co.uk
Any subject-specific questions should be directed to teachers in Google Classrooms or to Heads of Department.
If you have any concerns relating to safeguarding about a child, please contact our safeguarding leads Mrs Richardson and Mrs Key via email: safeguarding@ullswatercc.co.uk
In addition, if you have any concerns about a child’s welfare in the coming weeks, the contact number for Cumbria Safeguarding Hub is 03332 401 727. The Cumbria Safeguarding Children’s Partnership website is aimed at parents, carers and guardians and provides information regarding safeguarding and related matters: https://cumbriasafeguardingchildren.co.uk/LSCB/parents/tiles.asp
If you are concerned that you or a child is at risk of immediate harm, please contact 999.
This is going to be a challenging time for everyone and as always I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support for the school and all we are trying to achieve.
The biggest part of UCC is our community, we all have a crucial role to play and for our part if there is anything you need then get in touch. We are here to help in any way possible.
Yours faithfully
Mr S Gilby
Headteacher