16 June 2021
Awarding Grades Process
The dedicated email for queries about Awarding Grades closed at noon on Monday 14 June and will be reopened following Results Day in August. More details to follow on the next stages of this process.
Year 11 Celebration Event
Following the announcement on Monday from the Prime Minister that he is delaying the removal of all restrictions for a further four weeks we have, very regrettably, decided that we cannot hold a Prom this year. With this latest government decision, the increase in local infection rates and the increased transmission rates of the Delta variant we do not think it sensible or practical to hold an indoor event of up to 300 students and 50 staff. We have therefore, this morning, cancelled our provisional booking at Potters International Hotel, Aldershot as well as cancelling the photographer, caterer and music organisers.
This is not what we had hoped to do, however, I am sure parents and students understand the exceptional circumstances we are in at the moment. I have been informed this morning that many other Surrey schools have made similar decisions to cancel their Proms.
We do feel, however, that we can hold a breakfast celebration event on Thursday 8 July which will include some awards, some speeches and a further opportunity for students to sign shirts and to meet up with friends and staff. Obviously, the key difference between a Prom and this celebration event is that, crucially, it will be outside, and students will be able to maintain social distancing in a Year 11 bubble. I understand that, even then, some students (and staff) may still be unwilling to attend and this is totally understandable and will be up to the individual to make the final decision. Mrs Goggin will shortly be sending out a letter with further details about this event.
Year 6 Transition Event - Information for Parents who have Children Joining us in September
Yesterday we received the following government guidance: ‘Transitional and open days. You should complete thorough risk assessments before running transitional, taster and open days in your setting, to ensure that they are run in line with your system of controls and align with the advice contained within the guidance for your setting and the roadmap out of lockdown. This means that traditional transitional and open days are unlikely to be feasible this academic year’
In light of this guidance I have discussed the situation with the Principal of Tomlinscote and the Head Teacher at Kings International and we have decided that, regrettably, we will all have to cancel the transition day arrangements planned for 29 June. This is not what we had hoped to do however I am sure parents and students understand the exceptional circumstances we are in at the moment.
We are going to replace our June transition day with one in September. All Year 7 students will be in their tutor groups to meet key staff and have a tour of the College. We used this format last year and it was very successful in ensuring a positive transition process took place.
Shortly, on our website there will be, for parents, a formal pre-recorded presentation by senior staff and for students, an interactive site tour. There will also be the facility to submit questions.
A detailed letter will be sent to all Year 6 parents in the very near future.
Although this is not the format we would normally arrange we do feel that this is a pragmatic solution to the exceptional circumstances we find ourselves in.
Consultation on Parents’ Evenings/Academic Review Events 2021-2022
My thanks to all those parents who have responded to the consultation. A reminder that the consultation ends on Friday 18 June. Anyone who still wants to submit their views can access the consultation via the link below:
https://forms.office.com/r/q2BCqQ29Xq
Copy of consultation question:
For academic year 2021-2022, what format of parents’ evenings/academic review events would you prefer:
| Virtual events, conducted remotely | |
| Visit College and meet face-to-face | |
| A combination of remote and face-to-face events* |
* for example all Parents’ Evenings held remotely and then a choice of attending Academic Review meetings face-to-face or remotely.
At the end of the consultation period, I will let you know how we intend to arrange these meetings next year. Thank you in advance for participating in this consultation.
Mr Tanner - Principal