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Friday 4th September 2020

Welcome to the new school year to you all. I hope that you and your families have enjoyed a restful and enjoyable summer holiday. I was delighted today to welcome our new Year 7's. What a lovely bunch they seem to be and there were plenty of good manners and smiley faces on show from the outset; as one member of staff emphasised, 'You only get one chance to create a good first impression' and that they have done in some style. Mums and dads, you should be very proud. Inevitably, there has been the odd over-sized blazer, wrong-turning, lost pencil case etc, but it matters not in the grand scheme of things.

Start of School dates:
Thursday 3rd September – INSET Day
Friday 4th September – Year 7 Induction Day 1
Monday 7th September – Year 7 Induction Day 2
Tuesday 8th September – Year 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

We are delighted that we can fully open on Tuesday, we have missed seeing and teaching your children. We are really looking forward to gathering the Harrow Way family back together, although in a slightly adapted way to ensure we are COVID-19 secure.

On arrival – Students must not arrive on site before 8.30am unless previously arranged. Senior staff (in their new orange jackets!) will be on duty at the gates each morning. We would ask students to arrive at the following times and go straight to their tutor bases.

• 8.30 am – Year 8 and Year 11
• 8.35 am – Year 10
• 8.40 am – Year 7 and Year 9

Click here to view the letter sent to parents regarding reopening.

Additional Learning for Year 11 Students
We are really looking forward to welcoming all students back to school next week, but we understand that our Year 11 students may be feeling anxious about the challenges ahead, more so this September than any other year.

Typically, we run Revision sessions after school for Year 11 students to help them prepare for the GCSE examinations and we are looking to offer additional learning opportunities for this year group as soon as possible This will start one week later than originally planned in the week beginning 21st September. Mrs German will issue details in due course.

Face Masks:
As mentioned in the previous letter - The guidance states "The government is not recommending universal use of face coverings in all schools. Schools that teach children in years 7 and above and which are not under specific local restriction measures will have the discretion to require face coverings for pupils, staff and visitors in areas outside the classroom where social distancing cannot easily be maintained, such as corridors and communal areas and it has been deemed appropriate in those circumstances."

Therefore we have decided that at this time, these are optional for both staff and students. Any student wishing to wear a mask may do so, but they must be appropriate for a school/workplace. If Government guidance changes, such as local restrictions are imposed, we will update parents as appropriate. It is the responsibility of students and staff to provide their own face masks. We recommend that all students and staff carry a resealable plastic bag to place their face mask in.
Please note - any student intentionally mis-using a mask will be asked to take it off.

Transport for September
We have received guidance from the Local Authority Passenger Transport Service that all children receiving transport this year, and who are due to receive transport next year, should expect the same arrangements to apply. For pupils who travel by bus, this year's bus pass can be used in September 2020. You must keep it and use it when school starts again after the school summer holidays. If your child is joining a transport arrangement for the first time, e.g. due to start in Year 7, the local authority transport team is finalising those arrangements and these should now be confirmed to you before the end of August.

Important guidelines for transport: We have received notification from Pikes Coaches that their service from Roman Way/King Arthur's Way/Saxon Fields will run, with unchanged timings from this year. Costs will be £1.30 single/£2.00 return.

Students will be required to wear face masks and sanitise before getting on all school buses and taxis as well as public transport. Students are also not permitted to eat, drink or drop litter on the journey.

Year 7 Birth Certificates
From Monday 7th September, any birth certificates that were handed in will be ready for collection from the school main reception.

If you are happy for your child to be given the birth certificate to bring home, please call main reception on 01264 364533 and they will ensure it is given to your child.

Year 7 Virtual Parent Information Evening
The Parent Information Evening on Thursday 10th September will be a Virtual event, starting at 6.00pm. All Year 7 parents will receive link details early next week.

Pastoral Structure for 2020-21
Please click here to see the tutor group and pastoral support structure for the next academic year.

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.