Update for Parents 23rd February 2021

At George Spencer Academy we are finalising our response to the latest government announcement.
The government have stated that secondary schools can stagger the first week back (week beginning Monday 8th March) to support mass asymptomatic testing expectations. These expectations are:
– All students receive one negative test result before returning to face-to-face education.
– Students then receive two further tests on site during the first two weeks back and these must be 3-5 days apart.

From Monday 8th March we will start to welcome our students back to face-to-face education. This first week back will be staggered, with year groups returning on different days throughout the week to meet the expectations of testing 1660 students 3 times in 2 weeks, which equates to testing approximately 600 students per day. We are currently finalising our plans on how we can do this effectively and, quoting one of our core values, we are ‘striving to be the best we can be’.

The government is set to update their guidance on the mass testing of students today. Once we have digested this and planned the logistics around the latest guidance you will receive a letter later this week from Mr Dakers, Assistant Principal, which will provide you with details on the testing process and the consent we require to test your child. Mr Dakers will email the testing appointment times and information on what the students should expect (including a short video) to each individual once we have collated the consent forms. If you choose for your child to not be tested they will return to site on the same day as the rest of their year group.

Early next week I will write to you again with the dates each year group will return to site and the finer details around our response, including the government changes around the wearing of face coverings in secondary schools.

Our in-school offer for vulnerable children and children of critical key workers will continue throughout the staggered return and they should continue to arrive to school as usual for the week beginning Monday 8th March.

If you have any questions or worries about the latest announcement please contact the school and we will aim to provide support, answers and clarity.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming your child back to school.