May I first wish you a Happy New Year and trust you are fit and well. As you may have heard there have been numerous changes to plans for students’ return to school for the weeks beginning the 4th and 11th January 2021. 
This letter will go through important updates to Year 11, their access to remote lessons, return to school and update on any exams that are happening in January.  Please note there will be further correspondence detailing the COVID testing dates for Year 11 once we have received the tests in school. 

Week Beginning 4th January 2021
Updates to remote learning Year 11 

●    From Tuesday 5th January 2021 students will need to go to their google classroom at 9.10am and open this classroom where they will find all the information 
 

●    Lessons will follow the timetable below and students will need to register for each lesson during the day. Details on how to register will be on the google classroom. 
●    Where the timetable states Option A, B, C or D please use your knowledge organiser notes to work out which lesson this refers to 
●    The teacher for each lesson will be present in the classroom according to the timetable.  The teacher will check the register and will remain online throughout the lesson to help students with any questions
●    All students will be expected to follow the timetable and submit required work on their return to school on Monday 11th January 2021 or via google classroom during the lesson
●    It is incredibly important that lessons are followed as the work the lessons cover will NOT be revisited in school
●    Period 6 will not be a lesson but will be work set by the usual period 6 teacher.  Those preparing for an exam will have alternative work in period 6 – more information to follow on this. 

*Alternative remote learning Tuesday and Wednesday for Music students

*Alternative Period 6 set for Sport students

Updates to January exams for Year 11 

●    MUSIC EXAM - 7th January 2021 IS still happening 
 Students taking this exam will be expected into school at 8.35.am on Thursday 7th January 2021.  Students will sit the exam and then leave the school site once the exam is finished which will be no later than 10.35am.  Students sitting this exam will be given some alternative remote learning from Mr Foster on Tuesday 5th January and Wednesday 6th January 2021 this will be coordinated through google classroom. 
●    Sport EXAM - 11th January 2021 IS still happening 
The Sport exam will be happening on Monday 11th January 2021.  Work will be set by Ms Exton alongside live lessons during the remote learning week to get students prepared for this exam.  Ms Exton will be contacting students using their email addresses and google classroom to go through the exact timetable she is running for Sport students. 
●    Construction Unit 1 EXAM  - 11th January 2021 is NOT happening 
This exam will be rescheduled for June 
●    Construction Unit 3 EXAM  - 15th January 2021 IS still happening  
Students will be supported in with extra lessons prior to the exam 
●    Health and Social Care EXAM  - 11th January 2021 IS NOT happening 
This exam will be rescheduled for June
●    Hospitality and Catering EXAM  - 14th January 2021 IS happening 
Students will be supported with extra lessons prior to this exam but should be revising for this exam over the next week if they are retaking 
●    Business Studies EXAM – 1st February 2021 IS happening 
Students will be supported with extra lessons prior to the exam.  

This information remains the same from our previous letter
●    Only the children of those deemed to be Critical Workers, as well as students classified as ‘vulnerable’, and those with EHCPs will be offered a place physically in school.  If you wish to confirm a place for your child, and have not done so already, then please email CGasher@gloucesteracademy.co.uk stating your child’s name, year group, and reason you require a place and which days

●    During this week we will publish and begin delivery of an updated COVID testing programme for all other students (year 7 to 10).  Please continue to complete the permission form for your child, if you have already done so, this does not need to be completed again. https://forms.gle/UTAGZdVSviFNyscZA

Week beginning 11th January 2021
We have been able to write a personalised timetable for Year 11 to ensure they have the very best chance of success in all subjects despite the interruptions we are experiencing 

●    Year 11 students will return in to school and will be working through an alternative personalised timetable for one week to ensure that they are: 
a)    Prepared for their January or February exams if they have one 
b)    Complete coursework for vocational subjects 
c)    Have intervention for subjects where needed 
●    We will give the timetable to Year 11 when they return to school on the 11th January 2021 at the usual school start time. 

Week beginning 18th January 2021

●    At the present moment we expect all students to return on this date
Further information can be found on this government website

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-in-the-autumn-term

As ever, many thanks for your support and trust.

Wishing you a very happy new year and a healthy 2021.

Yours faithfully 
Mrs P Lewis 
Senior Deputy Headteacher