Further updated details re: staggered return to school for students

Further to my recent update concerning the staggered return of students to school, today’s announcement from the Secretary of State for Education has implications for all of our year groups. 

The timeline for their return, and details concerning our online provision is now as follows:

  • Monday 4th January: Staff Day (to support online provision / student testing in school plans)
  • Tuesday 5th January: online provision begins for all students in all year groups (XP, XP East, XP16)
  • Monday 11th January: Y11 and Y13 return to school
  • Monday 18th January: Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10 and Y12 return to school

We will provide an in school provision for children of key workers, Looked After children and students with Special Educational Needs (as per the previous March lockdown period) on Tuesday 5th January. The provision will be based at XP East and will begin at 8:30am / close at 3:15pm. Please complete this brief survey if your child qualifies for a place and you would like them to attend.

In anticipation of the latest announcement, I met this morning with our Assistant Principals, Miss Johnson (SENDCo), Mr Sprakes (Chief Academic Officer of XP Trust) and Mrs ap Harri (XP16 Lead). We already have contingency plans in place for timetables concerning an online provision, and these will be finalised published by the end of Monday 4th January. 

Our online provision will be exactly like the process for when previous year bubbles have been closed and revolve around live sessions by teachers, supported by Learning Coaches – all students are expected to attend beginning every day with Crew at 8:30am. 

We’ve been delighted with the positive feedback from parents regarding our remote learning work, and I would like to reassure parents that we will continue to provide the structure and the high quality support that your children need during this tricky period of school closure. 

2021 is just around the corner – happy new year everyone!

Best wishes, Jamie Portman.