Dear Parents and Carers

You will be aware that the Government changed the rules for the wearing of facemasks by children from the 17 May, meaning that our students were no longer required to wear these when in school. However, schools are coming under increasing pressure to take additional measures to protect the students and staff, particularly in response to the new Delta variant. Public Health England has confirmed that this variant is far more transmissible, can lead to more serious illness and that more cases are now among those of school-aged children. Absences from school that are related to COVID-19 are also rising. Indeed, you will also be mindful of the rising number of positive cases of Coronavirus in local schools which have led to whole year groups remaining at home.

It is within this context of concern that we have decided to suggest the reintroduction of the voluntary wearing of facemasks by the students in corridors and other communal areas. Before the 17 May, when their use was mandated by the Government, our students responded superbly, and every one of them demonstrated care and concern for their peers by donning a facemask as they arrived in school. You may remember that the school purchased a reusable mask for every student. We feel that it would be sensible to take this precautionary measure again, rather than when infections get out of control, as is already happening in some areas. We feel our students have already missed too much school, so every measure we take is with this in mind.

Therefore, from Wednesday 23 June, we ask that you encourage your child to bring their reusable mask to school and to wear it in corridors and other communal areas. They will be permitted to remove these once they are seated in lessons, but can keep them on if they wish. Students who are exempt (this has already been agreed by us and they have been issued with a sunflower badge) are not required to wear a mask, but we do ask that they display their sunflower badge clearly.

The school is extremely grateful to our families for the support you have given us during these past 15 months, and it would be a huge pity to undo the good work from our superb joint efforts as we ease our way towards the summer holidays.

Many thanks and best wishes.

Sir Ken Gibson, Executive Headteacher.
David Amos, Head of School.