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Friday 26th February 2021

As I mentioned in my letter on Tuesday the Prime Minister announced on (Monday 22 February) that the Government has set out its plan for the return of all pupils to schools, as part of the roadmap for leaving lockdown.

The Government has asked that all students take coronavirus tests (Testing is voluntary but, for the safety of all, they are encouraging as many students as possible to participate) as they return to the classroom from Monday 8 March and has given schools the discretion on how to phase the return of the students over the week beginning 8 March to allow them to be tested on return.

You will have received a letter on Thursday with arrangements for those parents who have given consent – Lateral Flow Testing letter - all years. Please ensure your child arrives at school at the designated time with a pen and their mobile device. You can give consent here.

Our system of controls will continue to support us all in reducing risk, including ventilating occupied spaces, continuing with enhanced cleaning, the one way system, staggered break/lunchtime and retaining bubbles of students. Over the next two weeks we will be reminding our whole community to continue to do everything we can to adhere to these measures, because it is vital that they are implemented well and consistently. Before 8th March I will also be reviewing our Covid-19 Risk Assessment.

Reminders of procedures and protocols will be shared with everyone before they return to school, and it will be very important for children to become familiar with these measures once again. In addition to the system of controls, the Government is now also recommending the use of face coverings in classrooms and other teaching spaces.

Masks
A reminder to parents that children in school should bring their own masks in each day please. We do not have an inexhaustible supply.

Letter to All Parents
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has written an open letter to parents, carers and guardians following the news that all primary schools, secondary secondary schools, special and alternative provision schools, colleges and further education settings will be opening to all pupils from 8 March as part of the Government's plans to lift the restrictions imposed on society due to COVID-19.

Digital Detox Day- Wednesday 3rd March

Harrow Way Heads of House have decided to create a Digital Detox Day for all of our students. This day will be a chance for you to learn something new without screens. We have created a leaflet that is full to the brim with different activities! The wide variety of activities available means that there is something for everyone to enjoy whatever resources you may have. Have a scroll through and see what you would like to do. We recommend choosing 3 to 5 activities to keep you busy and AFK. There will be house prizes up for grabs!

A reminder that the INSET day we had calendared for Tuesday 9th March has been postponed.

Year 11 GCSE Grades 2021
The Education Secretary announced yesterday that students will receive grades awarded and determined by teachers, with pupils only assessed on what they have been taught. No algorithms will be used.

Year 11 - DON'T WORRY.

1. We will look carefully through the guidance over the next few days and then plan our next steps.
2. We will talk you through this in assembly when you return. Please don't panic that all we will do when we get back is assessments and exams!
3. We will give you all plenty of opportunities to get the grades that you need and deserve - we just need to keep going; together.
4. And finally - please don't forget that we are so proud of you!

National Careers Week
Next week is National Careers Week, the week beginning 1st March. In normal circumstances, we would have in school activities; however, this is not possible for obvious reasons. Therefore we have prepared several links to useful websites that students can explore during the week. There is also a very helpful parents' guide to careers week that we provide. This week supplements all the work we do in lessons to ensure all our students make informed decisions about their future. If you have any further questions, please just send me an email: andrew.whitworth@harrowway.hants.sch.uk

Harrow Way Careers Platform
National Careers Week Website
University of Portsmouth - Discovery Week
Maths Careers
Digital Transformation UK

Elevate Education - Parent Workshops

We know that many of you signed up for Elevate's last webinar on Reducing Stress and Wellbeing which took place on 9th February. The company has already sent out the recording link and a summary sheet to all parents that registered. If you didn't get a chance to sign up, the recording is available to be watched back on this link: get.elevatecoaching.info/uk/replay. You can also download a summary sheet of the main points here.

The next webinar in the series is going to focus on how students can prepare effectively for assessments and the details are below:

Effective Preparation for Assessments
Date: Tuesday 2nd March 2021
Time: 6:00 - 7:00pm
Registration link: get.elevatecoaching.info/uk/register

This webinar will be suitable for parents of Years 7 through to 11 as it shares guidance on preparing for any form of assessments and internal exams. The webinar series is completely free for parents. There will be one final webinar in three weeks' time: Tuesday 23rd March: Managing Technology and Distractions. If you register for the webinar, but miss the live session, you will be sent a replay link to watch in your own time. You can sign up right until the webinar itself.

Hampshire Together Programme
There is a public survey out the people across Hampshire and the surrounding areas about how they would like to receive information and provide feedback on potential changes to hospital services. They would like to hear from as many people as possible in the lead up to public consultation, which is due to take place later this year. The survey link can be found here if you wish to take part: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HampshireTogetherSurvey. There will also be an opportunity for students aged 13-16 to take part in a focus group on Friday 19th March at 5.00pm - email: Ellie.Stennett@hhft.nhs.uk for more information.

Harrow Way Community School (All Parents) Mailing List

Please contact the Admin Office, including your e-mail address and child's name (if applicable) to update your contact details or unsubscribe. Contact the school here.