Worden News

Coronavirus Update
19/03/2020
Update: 19th March 2020

School will be open tomorrow - Friday 20th March 2020. All pupils attending must wear full school uniform as usual.

However, can we remind parents that any pupil who has been sent home to self-isolate, for the advised 14 days, should not attend. Indeed, due to the need for an increasing number of pupils to self-isolate and the possibility of more staff being asked to do the same, we will be setting work to complete at home using Synergy.

I have asked teaching staff to set work (currently being taught in lessons) on Synergy along with homework in the usual way. Moving forward, we will continue to provide work through Synergy but ask that you understand that this will take time to do. All pupils are able to log into Synergy by using their school network usernames and passwords. Work for home learning will be available through the 'Homework' tab via Synergy.

We are aware that some pupils may not have access to the internet or a computer and we are therefore looking at how best to distribute paper-based resources. However, please be aware that this may not be possible particularly in the long term.

Can I remind you that the school's primary method of communication with parents will be via Synergy and ask that you bear with us as the response time in replying to queries will increase.

Finally, we will send out another communication shortly in regard to the school opening from Monday to the children of key workers.

Yours sincerely
Mr Catherall


Update: 18 March 2020

Following the announcement by the government at 5pm today I am writing to inform you that school will be open tomorrow - Thursday 20th March 2020.

However, can I remind parents that any pupil who has been sent home to self-isolate, for the advised 14 days, should not attend.

Indeed, due to the need for an increasing number of pupils to self-isolate and the possibility of more staff being asked to do the same, we will be setting work to complete at home using Synergy.

I have asked teaching staff to set work (currently being taught in lessons) on Synergy along with homework in the usual way. Moving forward, we will continue to provide work through Synergy but ask that you understand that this will take time to do.

All pupils are able to log into Synergy by using their school network usernames and passwords. Work for home learning will be available through the 'Homework' tab via Synergy.

We are aware that some pupils may not have access to the internet or a computer and we are therefore looking at how best to distribute paper-based resources. However, please be aware that this may not be possible particularly in the long term.

Can I remind you that the school's primary method of communication with parents will be via Synergy and ask that you bear with us as the response time in replying to queries will increase.

Finally, further information in regard to future openings will follow as soon as clarification has been provided by the government.

Once again, thank you for your continued understanding and patience.

Yours sincerely
Mr Catherall


Update: 17 March 2020

As you are aware, we are in unprecedented times with the current situation regarding Covid-19 Coronavirus changing daily. Like yourselves, as a school we are reacting to a fast-moving, ‘fluid’ situation with Government advice on best practice changing daily.

The current Government advice regarding schools is that we stay open and carry on with ‘business as usual’; unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that this is impossible to do and, so, we must adapt accordingly.

The health and safety of students and staff will always be our main concern and, as such, we respectfully remind all parents and carers to follow current Government advice. Should any student, or any other member of the household in which they live, show any of the following symptoms:

  • A new continuous cough
  • And/or a fever/high temperature (37.80C or greater) then the advice is that they must self-isolate for 14 days.

Otherwise, children are able to attend school unless you have been advised against it due to recent travel restrictions or underlying medical conditions. Our advice to pupils and staff with suppressed immune systems or ongoing health conditions is to seek medical advice. If they are ill or exhibiting possible symptoms of the virus follow the most up to date information from Public Health England or via the NHS on 111. Please keep us informed of any reasons for pupil absence.

Should a student attend school and display either or both of the above symptoms they will be sent home and informed that they must follow the advice already outlined.

In an attempt to ensure that school remains open for all students for as long as possible we are taking the steps necessary to ensure all pupils are appropriately supervised. However, it may be necessary to combine teaching groups and collapse the timetable for individual classes, part or whole year groups. It is likely that pupils will not have their usual teachers or normal lessons.

Partial School Closure

In the event that student/teacher/support staff ratios reach the point where it is neither safe nor practical for school to remain open to all students we will first partially close the school. This will be decided on a daily basis, dependent upon the number of staff available.

Should this be a necessity we will endeavour to inform parents on the afternoon before the partial closure in order to support them in making appropriate arrangements; this may not always be possible, however, due to the nature of the virus. As a result, please ensure you view the school website and check your synergy massages, social media and e-mails regularly; this is where any information regarding school closure will be posted.

Year 11, as examination classes, will be the school’s priority during this time and, as such, it is unlikely that they will be asked to remain at home unless the decision is taken to close the school as a whole.

Whole School Closure

This will take place only as a last resort and may occur for a number of reasons.

  • The school may have to close fully, on the advice of Public Health England, for a ‘deep clean’ should there be a significant number of students and/or staff with symptoms of the virus.
  • The school may close fully, after discussion with the appropriate authorities, should the number of staff either displaying symptoms of the virus, or self-isolating due to Government advice, mean that the health and welfare of students is compromised.
  • The school may close fully in the event of Government instruction that all schools close.

Distance Learning

Should school close, either partially or fully, we will endeavour to provide appropriate work via the following on-line platforms:

  • Synergy
    Microsoft Teams
  • Other subject specific websites or software packages

In order to gain full access to Synergy, you will need to have registered on Synergy and have a logon. If you have not yet registered for Synergy or have lost your account details, please message us through the school website and we will endeavour to assist you. Your son/daughter can log into Synergy by using their usual school network username and password. Please be aware that you may experience a delay when attempting to contact school by telephone.

If pupils are at home for any reason, all our learning schemes are available by clicking on the subject/curriculum tab on the school website at https://www.academyatworden.co.uk. Should your son or daughter experience any technical difficulties, please email itsupport@wordenacademy.co.uk. You can support us in this by making sure that your child, where possible, can access their schoolwork via a home tablet, laptop, PC or their smartphone. Making sure that your child has somewhere quiet to work and that they follow the work routines of a usual school day as much as possible is particularly helpful.

Further to this, Year 11 already have significant revision resources which should be utilised. More paper-based revision materials are currently being developed.

The situation in which we all find ourselves is one which we all have to adapt and respond to. As you will see the information contained herein indicates that, as a school, we are making all possible contingency plans; some, or all of these, will be put in place as the situation dictates.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all parents and carers for their continued support in these very difficult and trying times.

Yours sincerely

Mr C Catherall
Headteacher

Further information

Parent Letters

Government Advice: 
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Guidance on self isolation:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance