5 March 2021

Dear Parents/Carers

Year 10 Welcome Back

Year 10 tutors and I are thrilled to be welcoming students back onto the school site and are ready to continue supporting them all with their learning journey. Many students have stayed in touch through registration/prep time, emails, telephone calls and wellbeing appointments, which has enabled us all to understand the challenges that they have faced individually and within the community. These experiences will shape each and every one of us, but will ultimately prepare students for a future where being able to adapt, problem solve and demonstrate resilience are key attributes within the ever- changing world of work. Many of them have demonstrated these attributes throughout this period of remote learning and have continued to make the progress expected, and you and your child can feel very proud of.

We need all students to return to school with a positive attitude towards learning because as Year 10 GCSE students’, every lesson counts. All of the staff at Easthampstead Park Community School, believe this too and are here to provide them with the support and encouragement they need to be the very best versions of themselves. We look forward to seeing all students in person and continue to work with them, so they can have a really successful academic year ready for the final stretch.

Year 10 COVID Testing Timetable
Information for next week – Testing
• Testing will take place on Tuesday and Friday between the times detailed in the table below for each Tutor group.
• Students need to enter through the lower school playground (by the Sports Hall) as the testing is taking place in the Gym.
• There will be members of staff present to support your child with this and help with what is expected of them.
• They will need a face covering and hand sanitiser when they come to school (unless they are exempt).
• They must be in full school uniform.

Year 10 Lesson Timetable
• Monday 8 March – Students will complete online lessons.
• Tuesday 9 March – Students will complete online lessons or independent work when they are not being tested. They are only coming into school for the test.
• Wednesday 10 March – Students will be in school today for face to face lessons. The day will begin with roll call as normal.
• Thursday 11 March – Students will be in school today for face to face lessons. The day will begin with roll call as normal.
• Friday 12 March – Students will complete online lessons or independent work when they are not being tested.

Uniform
We understand that some parents may struggle with providing students with the correct uniform until shops open on April 12. We want to work with parents to ensure that there is a successful transition
back to school. We ask that if you are having any kind of difficulty then you work with us and communicate clearly any uniform issues with your child’s tutor.
As a school we have high expectations of how students present themselves both in terms of their visual appearance and in how they communicate with students and staff. This is checked every morning by
tutors during Roll Call. As it has been a while we wish to remind parents and carers of our uniform, jewellery and piercing expectations.
1. Students are expected to return to school in full school uniform. If there is an issue with any part of your child’s uniform then we ask that you write a note/email informing their tutor.
2. Hoodies of any type are not permitted in school and will be confiscated by staff and returned at the end of the day.

3. School shoes are to be worn and trainers are not permitted.

Equipment
A student that is not equipped causes significant disruption to the learning environment and valuable learning time is lost. It also means they cannot be successful in their school day. We ask for your
support with this to ensure that your child has a reading book and a fully stocked pencil case to fully engage with their learning. Stationery equipment can be purchased via your ParentPay account and we
ask that you resolve any issues you identify in readiness for their return.

Mobile Phones
All students in Year 7-11 must hand in their mobile phone during roll call as they are not permitted to have mobile phones in their possession. The phone should be silenced and notifications turned off.
Students arriving late (after roll call) will be expected to hand their phone into Raising Standards for safekeeping. Parents and students should be clear that the misuse of mobile phones will not be tolerated and failure to hand your phone in and keep it on your person will be treated seriously by the school as it is in clear
breach of our rules.

Punctuality
Punctuality is a key characteristic and expectation of all our students as it clearly supports our vision of clear routine and expectations. It also supports students having a calm, orderly start to the day.

Masks
The latest government advice regarding face masks is as follows:
Where pupils and students in year 7 and above are educated, we recommend that face coverings should be worn by staff, pupils and students when moving around the premises, outside of classrooms,
such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained. Face coverings do not need to be worn by pupils and students when outdoors on the premises. In addition, we
now also recommend that in those settings where pupils and students in year 7 and above are educated, face coverings should be worn in classrooms and during activities unless social distancing
can be maintained. Students who are exempt from wearing masks will be issued with an exemption card or can wear an exemption lanyard. Please ensure that the Head of Year is aware of the exemption.

We look forward to welcoming students back to our school community.
Yours faithfully

Mrs J Fear
Head of Year 10

Y10 HOY Welcome Back ltr 5.3.2021 Amended