School Reopening Parental Letter

22nd May 2020

Dear Parent/Carers

Firstly thank you for your patience as regards to the next steps of organising face to face sessions for our Year 10 and Year 12 students, as well as your feedback and comments on how we can continue to improve our online learning provision.

Due to the seriousness of the public health crisis we find ourselves in at the present time, myself and the Trustees believe that the best way forward is to take small steps and use the support and guidance available to ensure an increased opening of the school to Year 10 and Year 12 is, in the current climate safe, successful and purposeful for all.

Rainford High has provided care for students of key workers and other identified groups through out the lockdown,  so we have been continually reviewing and developing our protocols and procedures at this time to maintain social distancing and effective hygiene protocols.  From the 1st June, as the country moves out of lockdown, we expect this cohort to increase significantly.  For this reason we will not be bringing any Y10 or Y12 students into school before the 8th June at the earliest.

We appreciate that this is a time of concern, so we would welcome your feedback on our thoughts for what face to face could look like.  At the present time we are considering Y10 students attending school for one day a week.  This would mean every student in Y10 would have the opportunity to attend school over the course of a week.  The first face to face would consist of a well being session, followed by an academic review and small group sessions with English, Maths and Science teachers.  Students will be social distanced at all times, with strict hygiene protocols in place.  Y12 will return in a similar way to ensure that we can see how everyone is, and for students to speak to teachers about their studies and progress so far.  We are looking forward to welcoming you all back when the time is right in the not too distant future.

Prior to any students attending, we will be sharing a video of the social distancing arrangement and hygiene protocols we are proposing to put in place, so both parents and students can see how the school will be operating to ensure all students and staff can stay safe.

We are acutely aware of our other students who are having to remain at home and are studying independently, so we are working with staff to ensure we develop our remote learning to include virtual contact for students with staff in order to get “Sir and Miss” back in their lives next half term and improve the learning experience further.

At this point we would welcome any feedback or comments on this proposal be sent to [email protected].

I believe strongly that school is the best place for children to learn, and being part of a strong school community adds value to their life and learning.  However, we are focused on making our return to school as safe and enjoyable as possible, following our ethos of Everyone Matters, Everyone Helps and Everyone Succeeds.

Have a good half term and enjoy the break from home learning.  Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Yours sincerely

Mr Ian Young

Principal