3 April 2020

Dear Parents/Carers

We have come to the end of the school term and you can now stand down for a couple of weeks from your role as Home Teacher!  I’m sure you’ve found the experience interesting!

This will be my last update to you until the ‘new term’ starts on Monday 20 April.  I do hope the daily updates have proved useful.

Arrangements for students who would have taken public exams this summer

 We are pleased to receive information from Ofqual this morning confirming that the College will be asked to recommend a grade for each student for each subject called a Centre Assessment Grade. This will be based on the teacher’s professional judgment of the grade a student would have achieved if they sat the exam and assessment this summer. These grades will be subject to a moderation process at National level where students will be awarded a final grade.  We await further details after Easter.

We would like to confirm that we are not seeking any further work from students to support Centre Assessment Grades and students will not be required to come into College during this process. We request that students and parents do not ask teachers about Centre Assessment Grades as Ofqual have specifically instructed schools that this information is strictly confidential.   The arrangements for Year 9 and 10 entries is subject to consultation and we also await further guidance with vocational qualifications.

We feel this is a sensible process and we are committed to ensuring no student is disadvantaged.  Please click on the links below to see information and guidance from Ofqual with further details.

Ofqual Student Letter

Ofqual - Parents, Students, Teachers letter

Easter Holiday provision for children of Key Workers and Vulnerable Students

As you know our on-site provision will be open over the Easter holidays (closed on Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday). I would like to again thank all my colleagues who have volunteered to staff this provision over this period.

Visors for the NHS

 A number of parents and carers have asked whether they can support the work that Mr Thomas is doing (please see Facebook article) so a fundraising link will be available in ParentPay next week for any parents that wish to make a financial donation to the production of PPE for NHS staff and other coronavirus support initiatives organised by the College in the coming weeks.

Free School Meals

 A reminder that for the next two weeks the canteen will be closed and packed lunches will not be available for collection from College. We hope to have more information about vouchers for those entitled to free school meals very soon and expect this scheme to be up and running after the Easter break.

Sanitary products

 Any students who are having difficulty in accessing sanitary products at the moment can contact the College on tc@collingwood.surrey.sch.uk or 01276 457 600 to request products from the ‘Red Box’ free of charge.

Thank You

 Thank you to the parent that dropped off tea/coffee/milk/biscuits and juice (orange/apple) for staff who have been supporting our students on site. Your kind gesture was very much appreciated.

Letter from Surrey County Council

 I have been asked to circulate the attached letter from Liz Mills and Julie Iles to all parents/carers on behalf of Surrey County Council.

And finally

 From the staff and students at Collingwood...

Thank you to all the key workers who are keeping the country afloat and saving lives. Thank you to all the parents and carers who have supported the College over the last few challenging weeks and thank you to everyone who is staying home to keep others safe.