I would like to begin by thanking you for your continued support of Tytherington School. We are very much looking forward to welcoming your child back to school in the coming days; and in preparation of their return I wanted to take this opportunity to communicate some important return to school procedures and expectations.
Return Dates
We will stagger the return dates in the week commencing Monday 8th March.
- Monday 8th March – School open to Years 7, 11 and Sixth Form.
- Tuesday 9th March – School is open to all students.
Attendance
It is important to note that school attendance is mandatory for all students from the return to school dates outlined above. I am sure the vast majority of our pupils are excited and looking forward to the return to school, however, I also appreciate that some may be experiencing mixed emotions. There is no doubt that the first few days and possibly weeks will be a challenge for some, however, we can assure you that no stone has been left unturned in ensuring the safety and welfare of students, staff and the wider school community in preparing for the return to school. Please do not hesitate to get in contact if you feel we can support in anyway.
The School Day
Before School:
To reduce congestion around the school site we are asking all students who arrive to school from 8:35 onwards to make their way immediately to their designated tutor room.
Students who arrive to school before 8:35 are expected to make their way immediately to the Main Hall/Refectory where they will be supervised in year groups bubbles until moving to tutor rooms at 8:35.
Breaktime and Lunchtime Provision:
Students will continue to be supervised in year group bubbles during social times. In order to further reduce the risk of transmission, pupils will now remain outdoors during both breaktimes and lunchtimes unless we are experiencing extreme weather conditions. With this in mind I would encourage your child to bring a suitable coat to school. Please be aware that hoodies are not permitted.
Food Provision:
Students will be required to bring a packed lunch to school until further notice. Students in receipt of free school meals will continue to receive food vouchers until this time. This is an area that will be kept under constant review.
Face Coverings:
As Mr Botwe explained in last week’s edition of Headteachers Notes The Secondary of State has made it clear that schools should require students to wear face coverings indoors and in lessons until Easter, in the first instance. The overwhelming majority of students are already used to wearing masks in school; however, we are aware that there were a small number who have been exempt for health reasons.
If you feel that your child should be exempt, please e-mail dpepper@tytheringtonschool.co.uk. Mrs Healey, Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Special Educational Needs, will also be proactively contacting some families who we will automatically exempt from mask wearing.
Wearing of masks indoor is a significant imposition so we will be loosening our expectations of mask wearing in outside settings. As a rule of thumb: wear masks when inside. They may be removed when you are outdoors. Many of the changeovers between lessons involve students going outside so this will help. Of course, we will re-iterate the need to wash hands and sanitise.
We know that there are members of staff and students who rely on lip-reading so we will take this into consideration in terms of implementing this policy. Again, this is an area that will be kept under constant review.
One-Way System:
The one-way system will remain in place and is unchanged.
Staggered Exit:
In order to reduce congestion, the end of the school day will be staggered. Students leaving designated blocks and areas of the school site will be asked to utilise the following exits.
Lesson five teachers will remind students of the correct exit to use at the end of each day. Duty staff will be in place to assist students if they are unsure of which exit to use.
School Uniform
School uniform plays a valuable role in contributing to the ethos of Tytherington School and identifies students as a part of our community. As a school we wish to maintain the highest possible standards of uniform and will continue to encourage our students to wear their Tytherington School uniform with pride, both within and on their journey to and from school.
From Monday 8th March, students are expected to attend school in full school uniform, and I wish to take this opportunity to clarify those expectations (school uniform & equipment). Given the current circumstances I fully appreciate the difficulty some of you may be experiencing with accessing particular items of uniform and I can assure you that any uniform issue will be dealt with sensitively and on a case by case basis. Please do not hesitate to get in contact if you are experiencing difficulties with accessing items of uniform.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Darren Pepper
Assistant Headteacher