We very much look forward to welcoming our students back to school as safely as we can. This will commence on Thursday later this week when some students will be arriving to have their first lateral flow test. Please can parents and students ensure that they know the day and time that they need to attend for this by reading the information below.
TESTING
Prior to their return to the classroom all students will be offered a rapid-result lateral flow device (LFD) test to check for asymptomatic cases of coronavirus. Whilst this test is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended by the government. We thank those families that have already provided consent for this testing and urge those of you that are yet to, to access our website and complete the relevant consent form. I attach the link below for you.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScf_JF0wwmP4UCsw78CnjzhSzMbBd0HDaJUOEOQm-m1rTE2Ww/viewform
Please could we ask that you complete this form to provide consent. Students who are unable to take the test for whatever reason will not be expected to attend for the first testing dates but will return to school as normal with their year groups, once face-to-face education resumes. Any student who is following NHS advice and is remaining at home due to shielding or self-isolation is asked to notify the school office on enquiry@plantsbrookschool.co.uk with clear reasons for their absence.
In line with the guidance we intend to operate a staggered return to school during the week of 8th March. Prior to this, we plan on testing students in Years 7, 10, 11, 12 & 13 during the 4th & 5th March so that we can get them safely into the building on the 8th March. We then plan on students in Years 8 & 9 being tested on the 8th March. returning to face-to-face education on Tuesday 9th March. The dates and timings for testing and the return to school are shared with you below. Critical worker and vulnerable pupils who have a confirmed place will continue to attend their provision, until the rest of their year group return for normal face-to-face education. All students who we hold consent for will be supervised while they are tested. The tests are self-administered by the students under the guidance and supervision of a trained operative. The highest standards of hygiene and PPE are observed and the testing bays are within a highly sterile area. Results from the tests are available after 30 minutes. Should the LFD test yield a positive result parents will be informed as soon as possible by telephone; in the event we are unable to speak to you we will leave a message where possible or contact other family members on our system. At this point the student, and any identified close contacts will need to self-isolate for a period of 10 days, commencing the day after the test result. The student will be able to return to face-to-face education on the date outlined for their year group if their test is negative.
During this first testing period from the 4th-8th March, students will still be expected to use Google Classroom and Show My Homework to access remote learning activities, which will feature less live lessons and more independent tasks. These tasks will review work from previous weeks in order to consolidate the students’ learning. If a student is unable to access content because they are being tested, then they will not be disadvantaged if they miss the lesson and should be able to catch up in their own time.
Once the initial test has been completed students will take two more tests on site between 3-5 days apart. After the third test students will then be issued home testing kits so that they can be tested twice weekly at home. This will be the same testing method used at school, which the students will have been trained how to use. Positive results from these tests will need to be reported by parents to NHS Test and Trace either online or by telephone and should also be shared with us using the Google form that will be on our website. We will also need a clear indication on this form of any close contacts of the student, up to 48 hours prior to the test. A close contact is defined as someone within 1 metre for more than 1 minute or within 2 metres for more than 15 minutes. If a positive result is received on the home testing kit, then the student should immediately start a 10-day period of self-isolation.
I do hope that you will understand the effort, time and resources that we have invested in complying with the government testing plan in order to keep our community safe. We also appreciate the complexity of the process for you at home in administering the home testing kits. For this we thank you in advance. I hope that you will support us in ensuring that the school and our wider community is as safe as possible by following the guidance above.
Timetable plan for first test and the return to face to face education
Students must arrive for their first test using the entrance on Ebrook Road not the main school entrance. Students will take their tests in the sports hall. They must report promptly at the start of their allocated time slot and they must wear a face covering, observe social distancing and follow the one way systems in place. They must not congregate before or after testing. They must leave the school site swiftly and return home immediately after their test. We anticipate they will be on the school site for between 10-40 minutes.
| Year group | First LFD test date | Tutor group testing times | Return to face-to-face education |
| Year 13 | Friday 5th March | 13CO-8.30am
13JH-8.50am 13MH-9.10am 13MM-9.30am 13NC-9.50am 13ND-10.10am |
9.00am Monday 8th
March |
| Year 12 | Thursday 4th March | 12GB-11.50pm
12KM-12.10pm 12MT-12.30pm 12RS-12.50pm 12SH-1.10pm 12SL-1.30pm |
8.50am Monday 8th
March |
| Year 11 | Thursday 4th March | 11T-8.30am
11S-8.55am 11R-9.20am 11P-9.45am 11N-10.10am 11L-10.35am 11B-11.00am 11A-11.25am |
8.50am Monday 8th
March |
| Year 10 | Friday 5th March | 10T-10.30am
10S-10.55am 10R-11.20am 10P-11.45am 10N-12.10pm 10L-12.35pm 10K-1.00pm 10B-1.25pm 10A-1.50pm |
8.40am Monday 8th
March |
| Year 9 | Monday 8th March | 9T-12.25pm
9S-12.50pm 9R-1.15pm 9P-1.40pm 9N-2.05pm 9L-2.30pm 9K-2.55pm 9B-3.20pm 9A-3.45pm |
8.40am Tuesday 9th
March |
| Year 8 | Monday 8th March | 8T-8.30am
8S-8.55am 8R-9.20am 8P-9.55am 8N-10.20am 8L-10.45am 8K-11.10am 8B-11.35am 8A-12.00pm |
8.30am Tuesday 9th
March |
| Year 7 | Thursday 4th March | 7A-1.50pm
7T-2.15pm 7B-2.40pm 7K-3.05pm 7S-3.30pm |
8.30am Monday 8th
March |
| Year 7 | Friday 5th March | 7L-2.15pm
7N-2.40pm 7R-3.05pm 7P-3.30pm |
8.30am Monday 8th
March |
RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM
Face coverings
Previously, the guidance asked secondary students and staff to wear face coverings in indoor communal areas. The new guidance extends this recommendation to all indoor environments including classrooms. Could you please ensure that your child has a face covering to wear at school and also a spare for those occasions when they might misplace one or it becomes soiled or damp. In emergencies we do have a limited supply that we can distribute but we will log these when issued to ensure it is not a persistent occurrence.
Students who are exempt from wearing face coverings must provide written parental consent to confirm this, which should be forwarded to enquiry@plantsbrookschool.co.uk identifying the child’s name, tutor group and reason for exemption.
Covid Prevention
As prior to Christmas we have a number of preventative measures in place to limit the transmission of the virus. This includes numerous hand sanitising stations, one-way systems, enhanced signage and staggered break and lunchtimes. Furthermore, we have a staggered arrival and departure time using split entry points, which are manned by leadership staff every day. The table below is presented as a reminder.
Sixth form students will be attending lesson 5 on-site once they return from the 8th March.
| Year group | Arrival time | Departure time | Entry point |
| 13 | 9.00am | 3.10pm | Main entrance |
| 12 | 8.50am | 3.10pm | Ebrook Road |
| 11 | 8.50am | 3.10pm | Main entrance |
| 10 | 8.40am | 3.05pm | Ebrook Road |
| 9 | 8.40am | 3.05pm | Main entrance |
| 8 | 8.30am | 3.00pm | Ebrook Road |
| 7 | 8.30am | 3.00pm | Main entrance |
School buses will be running routinely from Monday March 8th.
Student Attendance
Attendance is mandatory from the week commencing Monday 8th March, once students have had their first test. The usual rules will apply, sanctions for lateness or non-attendance will be in place.
If your child is following public health advice and is shielding or is self-isolating, please notify school reception. Similarly, if your child is experiencing anxieties or is concerned about the return to school please notify school reception for the attention of your child’s Achievement Coordinator. We will then be able to discuss these anxieties and provide appropriate reassurance.
Uniform
We would be grateful if you would ensure that your child returns to face-to-face education in full school uniform. We will be expecting the same high standards that we would do normally. As a reminder please access the link below to the school website section on school uniform, including our very clear policy on uniform. We will be challenging every student with inappropriate uniform upon the full school return, so your support and cooperation with this will be most welcome.
https://plantsbrookschool.co.uk/school-uniform/
There is no expectation for students to wear school uniform when they come to school for their first LFD test. When they return to face-to-face education we will expect students to be in full uniform in line with the school policy.
