Messages From Our Head Teacher
Thank you for your support throughout this half term. I hope that you manage to spend quality time together with families and friends during the break. As promised, I have analysed the inputs from the consultation that took place following the October half term pilot.
The following groups were consulted as they are directly affected:
- Staff – through internal anonymised survey including free text
- Students – through internal anonymised survey including free text
- Parents – through a ‘consultation’ email address where any comments could be made.
The summary results were:
- 100% of teaching staff in favour of the two-week half term
- Over 95% of the students in favour of the two-week half term
- Approximately 75% of the parents who responded in favour of the two-week half term
Trustees reviewed the data alongside all comments made by parents, students and staff and debated the findings.
As a result of the discussion it was decided that, for Perins School, the two-week October half term will be introduced as a calendared event with the dates for 2020-21 being Monday 19
th October to Friday 30
th October 2020. Future dates will be published in the school calendar.
For Sun Hill Junior School it was decided that, given the difference in the age ranges, there would be a pre-pilot consultation before considering further options.
As we enter the key time for our Year 11 students in preparation for their GCSE examinations, may I remind you that our staff are well versed in dealing with the stress and anxiety that this often brings and that subject leaders and class teachers are always available to support. If you require any holistic support, the senior team and I along with our experienced Heads of House are more than happy to work with families to ensure that all students have the best possible chances for success.
With regards to the recent coronavirus announcements, the DfE has issued schools with the guidance below. Naturally, we will seek further advice and guidance as the situation develops and will be monitoring school-based procedures as a result.
I look forward to a very positive second half of the Spring Term.
Steve Jones
Public Health England has changed the advice for individuals who have travelled recently as follows:
Travellers from Wuhan and Hubei Province
If you have travelled from Wuhan or Hubei Province to the UK in the last 14 days you should immediately:
- stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
- call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the area
Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.
Travellers from other parts of China and other specified areas
This advice applies to travellers who have returned to the UK from the following areas:
- Elsewhere in China
- Thailand
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Hong Kong
- Taiwan
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Macau
If you have returned to the UK from any of these areas in the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, you should immediately:
- stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
- call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country
Encouraging good hygiene
As always, if you have symptoms of a cold or flu, then there are measures you can take to stop germs:
- always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
- wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
- avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
