Covid-19 Information
To report results from home testing to school please click on the link below.
Results from home testing for Covid 19 (google.com)
Covid Catch Up Premium 2020-21
The ‘Catch up’ premium was largely utilised to support the over staffing of the Academy from September 2021 for this academic year as part of the ‘Evidence Based Curriculum Plan’ (EBRP) curriculum with support for both academic work and SEMH work for pupils across the school utilising staff already known to the pupils and aware of each pupil’s background, context and ability.
Impact has been a positive one with all curriculum leaders stating that those pupils deemed as ‘vulnerable learners’ are in line with their intended curriculum, and for those pupils who are not on track, plans are in place and self-isolating protocols continue to be in place for pupils having to self-isolate.
For those pupils supported by the funding for SEMH concerns, the data and pupil voice suggests that additional presence and ‘check ins’ with pupils have allowed for de-escalation of anxiety in some cases, and a quicker process of being able to triage when external agencies (MIND, Listening Post) are necessary.
The TAG process for year 11 has allowed us to measure the impact of the academic support to some extent showing that 52% of the 60 vulnerable learners had 5 or more grade 4s or above, with 50% of them leaving with 5 or more at grade 4+ including both English and Maths. These pupils were those pupils who were performing significantly below expectation on re-entry in September 2020.
In addition, funding has also been tailored to literacy and numeracy with an emphasis on securing pupils with a ‘functional literacy age’.
Year 7 pupils were screened on entry for reading and comprehension skills. As a result, 30 pupils were identified below functional reading age, and intervention was undertaken utilising the Rapid Reader programme. Pupils were then reassessed post intervention, however, to increase the efficacy of the results when comparing on entry data(with pupils who had been out of education for summer holidays) with post-intervention data; a terms gap was given from intervention ending to testing occurring. This also allowed us to examine how well pupils had retained skills.
Average progress in reading age within the cohort was 36 months, with boys outperforming girls in terms of gained improvement.
Of the 30 pupils identified, 22 pupils made progress (74%). Further intervention and more exhaustive assessments are being undertaken; these initially utilising the comprehensive test of phonological processing to identify specific phonological processing difficulties.
Numeracy Intervention was also offered to 38 pupils in year seven who were between the 1st and 4th stanine following GL Assessment in September 2020. Focus from the subject leader was the consolidation of key skills from missed learning, so that pupils were quickly upskilled for the year 7 curriculum and placed in a bespoke class with EBRP academic support, as well as a TA.
5th January 2021
NHS Test and Trace: COVID-19 testing for staff and students attending school over lockdown
Dear Parent or guardian,
We are working to keep our school as safe as possible. You may have heard that testing for those without coronavirus symptoms is beginning across the country using new, quicker COVID-19 tests known as ‘lateral flow tests’.
Along with the other protective measures we are taking, these tests will help staff and vulnerable students/those of keyworkers to remain in school safely. Up to one-third of people who have coronavirus experience no symptoms. By testing, we will help to stop the virus spread and help to keep our school open as safely as possible to those that will be attending over the lockdown period. The test is voluntary, but I would encourage everyone to take it.
We will be testing all staff and students attending school during the lockdown period, who want to participate, from week commencing 11 January 2021.
I enclose an instructional leaflet with some more information.
If you are happy for your child to be tested, please fill in the form below and the enclosed consent statement (one per student) and return it to the school office via email/in person.
Those taking the test will be supervised by trained staff. The ‘lateral flow’ tests are quick and easy using a swab of your nose and throat. For under 18s, staff can oversee the swab process.
Results (which take around half an hour from testing) will be shared directly with staff and pupils participating. Where participants are under 16, parents or legal guardians will also be informed.
We know these tests work - in validation studies conducted by Oxford University and Public Health England, they were shown to be as accurate in identifying a case as a PCR test (99.68% specificity). The tests have lower sensitivity but they are better at picking up cases when a person has a higher viral load, hence the need to test frequently.
Testing will be offered free of charge.
What if a student/ member of staff tests positive?
Participating staff and pupils who test positive will be informed about their results individually. Where participants are under 16, parents or legal guardians will also be notified. Guidance on safe travel and additional precautions will be provided along with test results.
The individual will need to take a further ‘PCR test’ (similar to those done in local and regional testing sites) on the same day (or as soon as possible). The school will be able to provide these PCR test kits to perform at home or you can go to www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119 to book a follow-up test. If ordering a PCR test yourselves, they should choose to visit a drive-through test site if possible, as it is faster than requesting a home test.
During this time while you wait for the PCR result (via text/email) you will need to self-isolate.
If the PCR test returns a positive result you will have to self-isolate and follow the guidance from NHS Test and Trace.
What happens if the test is negative?
Students or staff will be able to stay in school and resume their activities as normal. An individual will only be told if they test positive on a ‘lateral flow’ test, so if you do not hear you can assume it was negative. A small number of individual may need to repeat the test if the first test was invalid or void for some reason.
What if a close contact at school tests positive?
A close contact of someone in school who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to return to school if they agree to be tested once a day for seven days and the test is negative. If they do not want to take the test, they will need to self-isolate as per the national guidelines. This does not apply to household members or close contacts outside of school who will still need to self-isolate. Further details will be provided at the time, but if you would prefer to self-isolate instead of doing daily testing, you can.
What if my child develops symptoms?
This testing programme at school is for people with no symptoms. If your child develops symptoms at any time (such as a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste) they must immediately self-isolate, and book a test by calling 119 or visiting https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
We will support our staff and pupils throughout, but please contact us if you need this information in any other language or format or if you have any questions.