UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter - 26th February 2021
Dear all,
We hope you all had a restful half term and were able to do something a little different despite the continued lockdown. As you are aware, we now have some government guidance on the return to school from 8th March.
Please see an outline of plans below and there will be a number of year group e-mails over the coming weeks.
As per the guidance, students can return to school after having an initial rapid Covid -19 lateral flow test. There will be two subsequent tests as follow ups on school site. If you did not complete the consent form in January then please use the link below or expect a separate e-mail requesting completion including a non-consent if that is the case.
Below I have organised an explanation of on-site testing by answering the questions we think you will find most useful.
COVID UPDATE
Covid Consent Form
Covid Testing FAQs
How will rapid Covid-19 testing work?
We will be implementing rapid Covid-19 testing in school from 8th March for students who have not been on site during lockdown. Our site and staff have been trained and are ready to deliver these safely on a larger scale.
What is a rapid Covid-19 test?
A rapid Covid-19 test involves a simple swab, which a student can administer themselves under the guidance of a trained test assistant.
When can students be tested?
Students will be invited to attend a test appointment in school - please see the outline schedule for the first test below, a further e-mail will be sent giving the students a specific time slot for their test day. Students will come in to school only for their test and then go home.
A consent form needs to be completed before this test can take place.
Monday 8th March - Year 12/13 Covid test 1 on site, students go home afterwards
Tuesday 9th March - Year 11 Covid test 1 on site, students go home afterwards
Wednesday 10th March - Year 10 Covid test 1 on site, students go home afterwards.
More detailed communication will be sent by email next week.
Can all students have a rapid Covid-19 test?
Students who have had a positive confirmed Covid-19 test within the past 90 days must not attend the testing process as the lateral flow tests indicate positive results for 90 days post-contracting, so false positives will be recorded.
How many tests do students have to have?
Students will need to have three separate tests. The first test they will need to come into school, test and then go home. The second test will be three to five days after the first and take place during their normal school day. The third test will follow during normal school time.
Is testing compulsory?
Participation is voluntary and active consent is required. If you decide that you would not like your student to be tested, this does not prevent them from coming to school. It would however, mean that if they were confirmed as a direct contact, they would need to self-isolate for the full 10 days.
How will we be told the result?
Test results take at least 30 minutes to process. Should a test come back positive your student will be isolated, and we will then contact you by telephone. If you haven't heard from us, then this means the test was negative.
Where do students go for this test?
Testing will take place on the third floor of the UTC building following a one-way system. Parents will not be permitted to accompany students onto site.
What happens if my student tests positive for Covid-19?
Your student and their household must self-isolate as per the government guidelines.
How do I get to school if I take the minibus?
The minibus will continue to run for all students who normally catch it. If you need to stay in school after your first test to wait for the minibus to take you home you will be allocated a classroom to work in for the day. You will need to ensure that you wear a face covering for the duration of the journey and maintain social distance as expected.
What do parents need to do now?
Please complete the consent form if you haven't done so already and look out for the test invitation and testing schedule emails next week.
If you have any questions which have not yet been answered, or you feel may not be answered through the further communications we will send over the next week then please email abiddiscombe@utcoxfordshire.org.uk
Face Coverings
With the return to classrooms the government are advising all students to be wearing face coverings, not just around school but also in the classroom, as a temporary measure until the Spring break as a minimum.
Please ensure that your student has a comfortable face covering - this could be a visor, a face mask or a bandana.
Some students find that glasses fog up so a breathing bracket might help. Find out more about breathing brackets here.
We have a very limited supply of the paper face coverings so it would be really helpful if students can bring their own and we welcome your support in explaining to students the importance of wearing these to prevent the spread.
If students are medically exempt from wearing face coverings, please can you ensure that both their Head of Year and admin have the information and students have an appropriate lanyard to show a hidden disability
Hand sanitiser and social distancing
We will continue to have hand sanitiser on the entrance to each classroom and staff will be maintaining a 2m social distance whilst teaching. Cleaning down of desks and spaces at the end of each session will continue.
UPDATE ON QUALIFICATIONS
You will have no doubt seen some information in the media about the awarding of examination grades. At this time we know exactly the same information as you and we are anticipating some further guidance over the next couple of days. When we receive further detailed guidance, we, and our colleagues leading other schools in our Trust, will work together to ensure you have all of the information required.
What we do know is that teachers will need to continue to work with the students to ensure that the school is able to provide evidence to support the grades awarded and therefore the strong message from us, is we will do everything we can to ensure each student has the opportunity to demonstrate their full abilities and we ask each student to continue to fully engage with their teachers in remote lessons until a return to face to face teaching.
We will be working hard to ensure that students obtain the grade which they deserve and are continuing to work hard for. We do need to evidence this and so a number of assessments and PPE's will be taken by all year groups as we would have done in 'normal' times. Year 11 and 13 will have a short set of PPE's (Pre-Public Exams) the week beginning 22nd March. Year 12 and year 10 will have their mid-term assessments the week beginning 19th April with end of year exams in late June.
CAREERS UPDATE
We are continuing to update our Opportunities page of the website with information about apprenticeships, work experience and destinations information. It really is a valuable resource and worth checking each week. Please get in touch with Admin if you need the password.
UK University Search Virtual Fair
You may find this event of particular interest, it will feature universities and colleges from across the UK as well as ten live webinars on essential topics such as UCAS personal statements, clearing, and student finance.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Monday 8th March
- Yr12/13 Covid testing on site by invitation
- Yr 12/13 no lessons - independent study
- Year 11 and year 10; bubble students on site, online lessons for both year groups
Tuesday 9th March
- Yr12/13 face to face lessons on site including tutor time
- Year 11 Covid testing on site by invitation
- Year 11 no lessons - independent study
- Year 10; bubble students on site, online lessons for year 10 only
- Year 12 Virtual Progress Consultation Evening
Wednesday 10th March
- Yr12/13 face to face lessons on site including tutor time
- Yr 11 face to face lessons on site including tutor time
- Yr 10 Covid testing on site by invitation
- Yr 10 no lessons - independent study
- No 'bubbles' running
Thursday 11th March
- All year groups on site for face-to-face lessons following normal timetable
- Second round of testing to begin by appointment for year12/13
Friday 12th March
- All year groups on site for face-to-face lessons following normal timetable
- Second round of testing for year 11 by appointment
Monday 15th March
- All year groups on site for face-to-face lessons following normal timetable
- Second round of testing for year 10 by appointment
Tuesday 16th March
- Yr 12/13 3rd Covid test by appointment
- Year 13 Virtual Progress consultation Evening
Wednesday 17th March
- Year 11 3rd Covid test by appointment
- Careers and Apprenticeships Open Event
Thursday 18th March
- Year 10 3rd Covid test by appointment
w/b Monday 22nd March
- Year 11 and 13 PPEs'
Looking further ahead:
Thursday 1st to Sunday 18th April - Spring Break UTCO will be closed during this time
Monday 19th April - INSET day no school for students
Tuesday 20th April - All students in for Term 5
31st May to 4th May - May half term
Wednesday 21st July - Summer break (finish lunchtime)
Tuesday 10th August - A-level results (onsite)
Thursday 12th August - GCSE Results (onsite)
There's lots here to digest and we will endeavour to keep you informed.
Stay safe
With good wishes
Sam