Dear parent/carer,
I hope this letter finds you well and that the summer holidays have started in a positive fashion for you all. Given the combination of warm weather, the Olympics, and the increasing reduction in covid restrictions, I sincerely hope that we can all begin to look forward optimistically to the future.
I am certain that many students will be excited to be on their summer holidays, free from the pressures of education, remote learning and the many challenges the last 18 months has presented. Hopefully, this summer provides an excellent opportunity for young people to relax, socialise and pursue their interests. I hope that all our students return in September refreshed, eager to learn and excited to come back to a more familiar school environment that we believe our students want and deserve. As a school, we are delighted to see the wide range of extra-curricular activities return and for students to have access to the enriching experiences that I believe are vital for their development into thoughtful, resilient and successful young adults.
September will undoubtedly continue to present a narrative around ‘catch up’ and ‘lost learning’ nationally and whilst I understand the importance of addressing any gaps in knowledge, understanding and application, our staff will collectively be trying to offer a more rounded and inclusive experience. Of course, we will continue to encourage students to work hard and focus on their studies, however, we know that students must also feel safe and happy if they are to be successful. We want to reduce the pressure on young people and ensure we consider their emotional wellbeing and support them in developing into well-rounded individuals who are equipped for the challenges their futures will inevitably hold. We are confident our wellbeing launch in the new academic year, based on the NHS’ 5 steps, will continue to place both student and staff mental health and wellbeing at the centre of all we do.
Many parents are understandably worried and reassuringly keen to help their child continue to develop as learners. The single most effective activity we would recommend over the remainder of the summer would be to encourage your child to read frequently and to challenge themselves in the books that they choose. The next academic year will see significant emphasis placed on reading and vocabulary in all year groups in a variety of ways, including through staff training, the curriculum delivery and the use of form time, as well as individual reading ages being collected for all students in order to target support where it is needed.
Despite being closed to students for the summer, school continues to be a busy place with new flooring, classrooms being painted, thorough cleaning of the site as well as preparations for the new Year 7 summer school and the results days. Please can I take this opportunity to remind Year 11 parents that GCSE results day is Thursday 12 August and we look forward to seeing Year 11 students again when they collect their results.
Our staff have also been working hard to make the necessary arrangements to fulfil the government’s expectations regarding the testing of students prior to their return to school in September. We have been given the opportunity to take additional days in order to administer the tests, however, we are keen to return to school as soon as possible and will be sticking to the planned schedule in terms of return dates.
In the following three pages I have provided details relating to why the testing is being offered nationally. It also outlines the specific arrangements for both tests for each form group in September as well as the date they will return to school.
Finally, I’d like to offer my appreciation for all your support during the last 18 months and I feel privileged to be the headteacher at Haslingden High School from September. I look forward to continuing to work together with you to provide the best possible experience for your child.
Yours sincerely
Russell Clarke, Headteacher
Asymptomatic Testing in September
Asymptomatic testing is done via simple and quick tests, known as Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests. They enable us to rapidly test students and staff, without the need for a laboratory. When done as part of a testing regime, the LFD is very good at picking up those with high viral loads (i.e. those that are the most contagious).
All secondary school students and staff should have the opportunity to receive two on-site LFD tests on their return in September, with the first being completed prior to attending lessons.
Parents of students in our new Year 7 – please click this link if you wish to provide consent, or copy and paste this address into a new browser window: https://forms.gle/LmZdocQTVo9yS7CA6
All other parents – if you have previously consented to testing, there is no need to do so again. If you wish to ‘opt-in’, please use the link above.
We hope that as many parents as possible can support this protective measure.
Why do pupils and students need to do two tests on-site when they return in Autumn?
Testing on return is an effective way to reduce the risk of transmission and support the continuation of face-to-face education. Identifying positive cases on return in the autumn term is important, given that some students may not be testing over the summer and may benefit from the chance to re-establish the habit of regular twice-weekly testing.
Testing on-site on return will also give new students the opportunity to get used to the process before moving to twice-weekly testing at home (where consent is given).
Is testing compulsory?
Testing is voluntary, however, we would strongly encourage all students to join in the asymptomatic testing programme to help break transmission links by identifying those that may be carrying the virus unknowingly.
Positive Cases
Staff and students with a positive LFD test result should self-isolate in line with the stay at home guidance. They will also need to take a confirmatory PCR test to check if they have Covid-19. Whilst awaiting the PCR result, the individual should continue to self-isolate. If the PCR test is taken within two days of the positive lateral flow test, and is negative, it overrides the LFD test and the student can return to school, as long as the individual doesn’t have Covid-19 symptoms.
Close Contacts
From September, close contacts will be identified via NHS Test and Trace rather than the school. Contacts will only be traced where the positive case specifically identifies the individual as being a close contact. Children will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are contacted as a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case. Instead, they will be advised to take a PCR test.
Home Testing
Following the two initial tests on-site, students will collect their test kits and start testing at home, twice-weekly (Thursday and Sunday evening).
Testing and returning to school arrangements for students (First test)
On Wednesday 1 September Years 7, 12 & 13 will have a lateral flow test in school. They will arrive in the Sports Hall at the times specified, have their test, leave to go home and then return on Thursday 2 September.
On Thursday 2 September Years 8, 10 & 11, will have their lateral flow test in school. They will arrive in the Sports Hall at the times specified, have their test, leave to go home and then return on Friday 3 September.
On Friday 3 September Year 9, will have their lateral flow test in school. They will arrive in the Sports Hall at the times specified, have their test and then wait for their result in their form room. Students will then attend normal lessons once a negative result is received.
If you have any questions or concerns relating to the testing arrangements for the return to school, please do not hesitate to contact school@haslingdenhigh.com
Testing arrangements for students (Second test)
On Monday 6 September students in Years 7, 12 & 13 will complete their registration in form. Forms VI P & E will take their cards to the gym and get tested, all the other forms will hand in their cards to the tutor and they are taken back to the main office. Students will arrive outside the PE block at the times specified, have their test and return to lessons.
On Tuesday 7 September students in Years 8, 10 & 11 will complete their registration in form. Forms 8 P & E will take their cards to the gym and get tested, all the other forms will hand in their cards to the tutor and they are taken back to the main office. Students will arrive outside the PE block at the times specified, have their test and return to lessons.
On Friday 3 September students in Year 9 will complete their registration in form. Forms 9 P & E will take their cards to the gym and get tested, all the other forms will hand in their cards to the tutor and they are taken back to the main office. Students will arrive outside the PE block at the times specified, have their test and return to lessons.
If you have any questions or concerns relating to the testing arrangements for the return to school, please do not hesitate to contact school@haslingdenhigh.com