Statements from the Headteacher
Last update: 2021-01-20
Should any families be impacted by Covid over this term or experience other similar problems please email:
Statement from the Network Manager (11th January 2021)
During these unprecedented times we, as a school community will continue to support our children as much as possible with home learning during the lockdown.
Working with Government provisions we are able to offer the following help to students to enable them to take part in the Home Learning schedule that has be set up by the school.
Although we aim to support all our children the majority of the offers are targeted at disadvantaged families or students who do not have fixed broadband at home, cannot afford additional data for their devices or are experiencing disruption to their face-to-face education.
Forgotten Password or Account Issues
Passwords can be reset by emailing homelearning@saintedmunds.org.uk , we endeavor to reset these as soon as possible once we have received them, we will email back a password for you to use. Please provide the username for your child or full name and their tutor group.
Device Loan
We have a number of devices available should you not have access to one, these devices come preconfigured with Teams and just need connecting to your home Wi-Fi. These are on a first come first served basis and are only if you have no adequate provision to take part in Home Learning. To request a device please email homelearning@saintedmunds.org.uk which your child’s details
Vodafone Data Sims
We have a number of data only Sims cards provided to us from Vodafone. These allow you to replace the Sim Card in your phone/device and use it as a mobile 4g hotspot. These are useful if you have no fixed broadband and limited data allowance. These provide 30GB of data for 90 days, if you require one of these Data Sims please email homelearning@saintedmunds.org.uk if you wish to take up this provision.
Free Mobile Data Increase on your phone
The School through the Government is able to offer a data increase on your personal phone with certain carriers to use as a mobile hotspot to facilitate home learning. If you are with one of the following providers and wish to take up this offer please email homelearning@saintedmunds.org.uk with the name of the mobile phone account holder, the number of the mobile requiring the increase and the name of the network (for example Three). The DfE will then apply for the increase, once the increase has been approved the provider will send a text to the account holder. The following carriers who are taking part in this scheme:- Three, Smarty, Virgin Mobile, EE, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile and O2.
Mobile Wi-Fi Dongle
We are in receipt of a small number of Wi-Fi dongles with data available, this device will allow you to setup a mobile hotspot to be able to access Home Learning on the internet. If you wish to apply for one of these devices please email homelearning@saintedmunds.org.uk.
Help Documents/Teams
A number of help documents are available on the school website. These can be found by clicking on Technical Help on the school website or typing https://www.saintedmunds.org.uk/help . For non-technical enquiries about the general usage of Teams please contact our Teams teaching expert
Mr. Hughes: rhughes@saintedmunds.org.uk.
Please be assured that the school is doing everything it can to ensure that all our students are able to maintain full access to their education during this current lockdown. If you have any questions or require any further advice please do not hesitate to email me directly at iwhite@saintedmunds.org.uk.
Mr I White
Network Manager
Statement from the Headteacher (5th January 2021)
RE: New Lockdown and Change to Arrangements
Unfortunately, it is currently the case that no sooner have we made plans and shared these with families/staff that new announcements/changes are made.
All students will now continue with the live learning sessions as planned. This will ensure that all students have access to 5 hours live learning with their own teachers following their normal timetable and curriculum. Where it is not possible to deliver the normal curriculum (i.e. due to the practical nature of the learning), then this will be altered to ensure continuation of learning and development of skills.
EHCP/vulnerable students and children of critical workers may choose to attend school and complete the same online learning in full school uniform but supervised. Please email keyworker@saintedmunds.org.uk should you wish to utilise this option and be eligible.
FSM parcels can be ordered by emailing covid@saintedmunds.org.uk.
For ICT issues please email school@saintedmunds.org.uk
It is our expectation that all students attend live learning lessons as normal. We will hold a weekly tutor session on a Friday and continue with phone calls home. There may be times when you are mistakenly contacted if your child misses a lesson. Apologies in advance should this be the case. It is often a result of students joining the lesson late. However, we have a clear duty of care together to ensure our children are accessing learning. It is essential that you contact the school via the absence line if your child is unable to attend learning (as is a normal requirement). Where lessons are unable to take place as a result of staff absence, this will be posted on the school website.
Students should complete homework as normal and returned to their teacher.
Having purchased our own broadband provision with a much-improved capacity we are confident that staff delivering lessons from school will experience few technical issues.
GCSE Examinations
As you will be aware, the Government announced yesterday that there will be no final GCSE examinations for this year.
Public vocational exams and assessments scheduled to take place in January will go ahead as planned. There is a clear indication that there will be ‘alternative arrangements’ put in place to allow students to progress fairly.
We are unsure as to when the school will receive details of this. However, I would expect some form of formal assessment within the school. Perhaps similar to the modular assessment and coursework approach that we had in place in previous years. This will make the work completed online and in school (when we do return), even more important.
Our intention for students in Year 10 is to continue with learning and enter for examinations as planned. Last year that proved beneficial for students currently in Year 11 who were awarded the grades they deserved and now have these qualifications. If it is not to the benefit/interest of students to do this then we will not. We will continue to update you as soon as we have further information and keep things under review.
This obviously continues to be a huge frustration for all of us. We will continue to provide mental health and wellbeing support for students. This can be accessed via contacting Miss Yung Hok on 023 9282 3766 extension 240 or by email Victoria.Yunghok@saintedmunds.org.uk
We will continue to do all that we can to support our children. We will be rescheduling the planned Parents Evenings for Year 9 and Year 11. However, we will continue with the online options evening on the 28th January 2021. Further details will follow. Once again than you for your continued support.
Tomorrow, we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord; when the Magi set out on a journey and followed the star,
‘When they saw it, how happy they were, what joy was theirs!’ (Matthew 2: 9)
The light of the star guided them on their journey and brought them to Jesus. So, we ask the Lord, to continue to be that light of hope for us and to guide us. May we follow your light of love and be a source of light for one another as we journey together at this time. Amen
Mr S Graham
Headteacher
Statement from the Headteacher (31st December 2020)
RE: Start of Term
As I am sure you are aware the Government yesterday announced new timings for the start of term for all schools in England. This is to extend the staggered return of our children to ensure more time for the rollout of testing alongside the concern of the current rise in Covid numbers.
Statement from the Headteacher (18th December 2020)
Start of Term; Covid Update: New Government Direction
You may have heard the news yesterday in relation to the new guidance for the start of term, January 2021.
We are currently working to ‘unpick’ and understand the information which is now starting to be sent to schools. The key objective is to offer students and staff on site testing. This appears to be on a whole school basis during the first week of term and then on a need basis going forward. Up to a third of individuals who test positive for Coronavirus have no symptoms at all and can therefore spread it unknowingly. By testing in school we will be able to identify positive individuals and most importantly reduce the amount of isolation. (As possible contacts will be tested in school for 7 days rather than having to isolate).
Statement from the Headteacher (9th December 2020)
We have been advised today that there have been other confirmed cases of Covid-19.
We know that you may find this concerning but are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with the Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, Coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness. The individuals who may have been in contact with the confirmed case will have received an individual letter and will be isolating. The student is well and will return following their isolation. All individuals who have previously tested positive have made recoveries. Our prayers are with individuals during these difficult times.
The school remains open for online learning your child should continue to attend if they remain well.
Statement from the Headteacher (8th December 2020)
We have been advised today that there have been other confirmed cases of Covid-19.
We know that you may find this concerning but are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with the Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, Coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness. The individuals who may have been in contact with the confirmed case will have received an individual letter and will be isolating. The student is well and will return following their isolation. All individuals who have previously tested positive have made recoveries. Our prayers are with individuals during these difficult times.
The school remains open for online learning your child should continue to attend if they remain well.
Statement from the Headteacher (7th December 2020)
Covid-19: School Operation
As you will be aware, we have unfortunately had to isolate an extremely large number of children, both last week and at the start of this week.
Whilst we have some students due to return for the last three days, there are now a growing number of students who will have to isolate until the 18th December 2020.
Prior to the 25th November, the number of cases in the school was relatively low. However, since then we have had a few parents who continue to send their children into school, with the knowledge that they had mild Covid symptoms. In one case, they had been taken for a test prior to being dropped off at school. These incidents in year groups, combined with the large number of siblings we have across the school, has clearly given rise to a further transmission of the virus.
At all times, we have followed the advice of Public Health England and worked to ensure the safety of staff/students, as well as the goal of continuing with learning.
Staff have been incredible, right across the school in the care and support they have provided. Currently there are a significant number of staff either isolating or have tested positive themselves with Covid-19. This will now make it extremely difficult to deliver learning ‘face to face’ over the last 7-days. I am also concerned that should we be required to isolate individuals/groups in the final week, this will have severe consequences for families over Christmas.
As a result of our current position, all learning will take place at home and will be delivered by live learning lessons (where possible) and home learning tasks. The exception for this will be for Year 10 where mocks will take place on Tuesday 15th December 2020 (Biology) and Thursday 17th December 2020 (IMedia). Specific guidance will follow. Year 11 Mocks will be moved to after Christmas starting on the 4th January (Inset Day but Year 11 to attend). The rest of the school will return as planned on Tuesday 5th January 2021. Year 11 Mock examinations will take place throughout this first week.
The last day of live learning will be Wednesday 16th December 2020. On Thursday 17th December tutors will hold a morning sessions with their tutor groups as a final get-together and complete an activity with them.
I understand that this change to the end of term will affect us all differently. We are deeply saddened that we will not be able to run our planned Emmanuel Service and Christmas Events here in school. However, our priority must be the well-being of students, staff and their families. Over the next week staff will be in school where possible, unless isolating or ill. There may be occasions where staff absence prevents live learning from taking place. A list of absent staff will be posted on the school website each day. In these situations, students should access home learning tasks. The timings of live learning lessons for all students will be:
Lesson 1: 9am
Lesson 2: 10am
Lesson 3: 11.30am
Lesson 4: 1pm
Lesson 5: 2.15pm
All lessons will be approximately 50 minutes in length.
Our expectation would be that all students log on and attend the online learning seminars when these are taking place. All learning should follow the student’s normal timetable. We have purchased a small number of devices to loan out to students who do not have access to a computer. Should you require the loan of a device or have any other IT difficulties please email school@saintedmunds.org.uk where we can review your request and help/support. Should students have any difficulties accessing learning, there are a number of isolation tasks available on the school website.
If you are entitled to receive free school meals please email covid@saintedmunds.org.uk by 9am on Wednesday 9th December 2020 and we will advise when your food parcel can be collected and a specific time slot. When booking your food parcel please advise of any food allergy that the student may have.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged by clicking here for the NHS website, By phoning 119 or booking a test via the NHS Covid App.
All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
I wish you all a blessed time this Christmas with renewed hope for a more settled 2021. Once again, a huge thank you for all your support and the many messages of thanks we have received.
Mr S. Graham, Headteacher
Statement from the Headteacher (4th December 2020)
As you are aware, unfortunately we had to isolate the whole of the Year 10 on the 1st December due to the large number of positive Covid cases. Previously we had been advised to only isolate a group of students/individuals, but this was not successful at preventing transmission of the virus.
Since the 1st December the school has now been informed of several other positive cases in Year 10. This will result in a large number of individuals having to isolate for longer. Where this is the case, these individuals will receive a separate letter clarifying this.
Whilst we are desperate for students to return, we do not want another ‘out beak’ the week prior to Christmas. Having been in further liaison with Public Health England and the Department for Education, we have decided that Year 10 should now return on Monday 14th December 2020. Students will not need to isolate past the original date but should avoid contact with other students from the year group. Students will continue to access lessons online as they have been doing. Where possible these will be live learning lessons. However, a number of staff who have had contact with the year group are also now isolating/positive. Our prayer is that Year 10 will return and have a final full week prior to the Christmas break.
It is essential that parents keep children off if they have any symptoms or are unwell.
Statement from the Headteacher (3rd December 2020)
Following information regarding positive Covid results, ‘bubbles’/individual students have been informed to self-isolate.
We know that you may find this concerning but are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with the Department for Education and Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, Coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness. The individuals who may have been in contact with the confirmed case will have received an individual letter and will be isolating. The student is well and will return following their isolation. All individuals who have previously tested positive have made recoveries. Our prayers are with individuals during these difficult times.
The school remains open and your child should continue to attend if they remain well.
Under NO circumstances should you send your child into school if they feel unwell.
Statement from the Headteacher (2nd December 2020)
We have been advised today that there has been a single confirmed case of Covid-19 within Year 8.
We know that you may find this concerning but are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with the Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, Coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness. The individuals who may have been in contact with the confirmed case will have received an individual letter and will be isolating. The student is well and will return following their isolation. All individuals who have previously tested positive have made recoveries. Our prayers are with individuals during these difficult times.
Statement from the Headteacher (30th November 2020)
We have been advised today that there has been a single case of Covid-19 within Year 8.
Statement from the Headteacher (25th November 2020)
We have been advised today that there has been a single confirmed case of Covid-19 within Year 10.
We know that you may find this concerning but are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with the Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, Coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness. The individuals who may have been in contact with the confirmed case will have received an individual letter and will be isolating for the next two weeks. Positively, I can report that the student is well and suffering from symptoms. As are the individuals who have previously tested positive.
Statement from the Headteacher (12th, 16th & 23rd November 2020)
We have been advised today that there has been a single confirmed case of Covid-19 within the school.
We know that you may find this concerning but are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with the Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, Coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness. The individuals who may have been in contact with the confirmed case will have received an individual letter and will be isolating for the next two weeks. Positively, I can report that the student is well and making a recovery. As are the individuals who have previously tested positive.
The school remains open and your child should continue to attend if they remain well.
Statement from the Headteacher (5th November 2020)
RE: National Lockdown: Covid-19 and School Implications
As you are aware England is once again facing new restrictions as a result of the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases. Unlike the lockdown in March, all children will be able to continue to come into school and have a full education. This we believe to be essential if we are to protect the well-being and long-term futures of our children. The National Guidance states that ‘Senior Clinicians still advise that school is the best place for students to be, and so they should continue to go to school’.
Statement from the Headteacher (21st October 2020)
We have been advised today that there has been a single confirmed case of Covid-19 within the school.
We know that you may find this concerning but are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with the Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, Coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness. The individuals who may have been in contact with the confirmed case will have received an individual letter and will be isolating for the next two weeks. Positively, I can report that the student is well and making a recovery. As are the individuals who have previously tested positive.
Expectations for Parents for Virtual Learning (24th September 2020)
During any situation where remote (home) learning is required, St Edmund’s will seek to continue to provide a high-quality learning experience for our children. Central to this success will be the live learning lessons used during the previous lockdown during the summer term 2020.
Information relating to the Head's Statement of the 27th August 2020
| Name | |
|---|---|
| All Parents re Returning back to school 270820.pdf | Download |
| changes to timings.pdf | Download |
| COVID-19 RA v1 Rtn to School - Detailed.pdf | Download |
| KS3 Uniform 2020.pdf | Download |
| KS4 Uniform leaflet 2020.pdf | Download |
| Returning to School Flyer.pdf | Download |
| Wearing of Mask advice.pdf | Download |
Previous Statements from the Headteacher
| Name | |
|---|---|
| All parents re Coronavirus 30 June 2020.pdf | Download |
| All parents re Coronavirus March 2020.pdf | Download |
| All Parents re Covid Update 081220.pdf | Download |
| All Parents re Covid Update 091220.pdf | Download |
| All Parents re Covid Update 211020.pdf | Download |
| All Parents re New Lockdown and Changes to Arrangements 050121.pdf | Download |
| All Parents re Returning back to school 270820.pdf | Download |
| All parents re September 2020 Return July 2020.pdf | Download |
| All Parents re Start of Term Covid Update 181220.pdf | Download |
| All Parents re Start of Term Covid Update 311220.pdf | Download |
