Dear GA Families

As promised please find below the full plans for a staggered return to school for all students. We are incredibly excited to be welcoming everyone back to the school, and have detailed below the safest way of us doing this.

In preparation for a full re-opening of GA we would like to share the full details and expectations for staff and students.  We cannot thank yourselves and your children enough for the incredible way that everyone has dealt with this once in a lifetime challenge.  I believe we are emerging from this pandemic as a community that can be proud of the support we have shown each other, something that will stand us in good stead in the weeks, months and years ahead.

From the 8th March 2021 as directed by the UK Government

• Attendance will be mandatory for all students as directed by the school (except those who are clinically extremely vulnerable or need to self-isolate).
• We will continue to provide remote education for students who are unable to attend school because they are following government guidance.  As well as full onsite provision for KW children and vulnerable students.
• Essential control measures will continue to be in place to minimise COVID-19 transmission.
• Gloucester Academy will phase the return of students during the first week to facilitate testing.
• Our updated covid risk assessment is available in the policies section of the school website.

Face Masks

Previously, the guidance asked secondary students and staff to wear face coverings in indoor communal areas.  The new guidance extends this recommendation to all indoor environments in secondary schools (including classrooms) when social distancing cannot be maintained.  Exemptions (such as students who rely on visual signals for communication, students with Doctor evidenced medical exemptions etc) apply.

Students will need to bring their own plain facemasks into school.  In the event a child does not have a face covering we will supply one for the cost of one pound, paid via parent pay.  We will not be able to supply a second if the first mask has not been paid for.

Asymptomatic testing for all staff and students

• Staff will be given kits for twice weekly testing at home.
• Returning students will be tested three times at school (three to five days apart) and will be provided kits for at-home testing thereafter, from the 15th March.
• All testing carried out in school will use lateral flow devices (LFD) which provide a result in 30 minutes.
• Staff and students with a positive LFD result will need to follow self-isolation guidance and obtain a PCR test to confirm the result.
• Close contacts of anyone who tests positive must not attend school for ten days.
• All testing is voluntary - if you have not yet done so please complete this consent form for your child: https://forms.gle/QXuUmx7CWL9zRUgJ9
• Translated guidance and accessible formats on COVID-19 - View HERE (external site)

4th March onwards 2021 Timetable

Students attending for testing on 4th and 5th DO NOT need to wear school uniform. Full uniform expected from the 8^th March 2021.

• When students are coming on site Thursday and Friday for their test they will enter via the main pedestrian gate at the front of the school - Painswick Road entrance
• Those students who do not have parental permission for testing will remain in their timetabled lessons for the duration of the normal school day
• Testing for each year group will then take place 3-5 days apart
• Once three tests have been completed, students will be given their own test kits to test from home - as per government instructions. We will provide further info on this when it happens

We fully appreciate that some of our children and families may well be feeling anxious about school resuming. We would encourage you to contact us, via your child’s Head of Year, to discuss any concerns. We must also remind you that student attendance, following the above timetable, is mandatory.

Every effort and consideration has been made to stagger testing times to keep year group bubbles apart. Please make every effort not to congregate outside of the school, presenting your child to the school gate at the allocated time.

Yours sincerely

Jonathan Heap
Headteacher