We had a fantastic virtual learning session yesterday from Wessex Water with some exciting information about apprenticeships and routes into civil engineering. Our next session is on Thursday 11th March and will be a presentation from LED leisure on jobs and careers in the leisure industry. See below for details on how to book. 

"Future Thursdays" are a series of event organised by Ian Caddy, our Head of Business studies and enterprise that will be taking place over the next few weeks. Each session is a fantastic opportunity for Heathfield students of all ages to listen and ask questions to local business leaders about a ranger of careers. The meetings are online virtual via Zoom every Thursday in March at 6pm. The aim is to give information and excite students across the school in learning about possible careers that may interest them. It is also designed for families to be involved too: -

• Thursday 4th March 6-7pm – Wessex Water – careers in Engineering amongst others.
• Thursday 11th March 6-7pm- LED Leisure- careers in the Leisure industry.
• Thursday 18th March 6-7pm- Dyer and Butler Construction- careers in the Construction industry.
• Thursday 25th March 6-7pm- Kennedys Law- A career in Law and an explanation of the different routes into the law profession.

Please click here to download a flier, along with the necessary information to register for these events. Alternatively, click here to register directly.

Here is the final 'Heathfield Way' bulletin, packed full of information, celebrations and lots of your staff with a special welcome back message. We're looking forward to seeing you all on Monday!

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 planned to take place as students return to school from Mon 8 Mar. The testing uses the quick COVID-19 tests known as ‘lateral flow tests’.  

Along with the other protective measures we are taking, these tests will help staff and students 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. The test is voluntary, but I would strongly encourage everyone to take it.  

We are finalising the schedule for when students will return during the week beginning Mon 8 Mar and will communicate this soon. As per the recent Government announcement, we are offering tests to all Heathfield Community School students when they return to school. Participating students will have a scheduled first test followed by a second test 3-5 days later, and then a third test another 3-5 days later. These will happen during the school day. Further down are some frequently asked questions that provide more information about what happens in the event of the different test results. 

If you are happy for your child to be tested, please fill in the consent form (one per student) attached or click this link https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=evXzFh8sH0SOI5kHz4NMF1SSr9f7DnZCn7dYC7fzrLJUMjZDOVc5VERYQ0FBTE9WNk5CWUQzQ09FTS4u to complete the consent online. No student will be able to participate in the testing without consent. If your child will be taking part in testing please complete the consent form as soon as possible to help us understand the number of students we will be testing.  

We will also register the test on the Government’s NHS Test & Trace system using the data we hold for your child. Doing this will mean the test result is sent to the mobile phone number and/or email address we hold for you. In the event of a positive test, NHS Test & Trace will use this phone number to contact you about any potential close contacts your child may have had outside of school. 

The test is self-administered and those taking the test will be supervised and guided by trained staff. The ‘lateral flow’ tests are quick and easy using a swab of your nose and throat. 

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 higher viral load, hence the need to test frequently.  

Testing will be offered free of charge.   

Yours faithfully,  

Peter Hoare 
Head
Heathfield Community School                         

Frequently asked questions… 

What if a student tests positive?  

Participating staff and students 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.  

Students 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). 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 they wait for the PCR result (via text / email) they 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?  

They will be able to stay in school and resume their activities as normal. A student 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 students 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 have to self-isolate and follow the guidance from NHS Test and Trace. 

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 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or 0300 303 2713 (Scotland) or visiting https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.  

We will support our staff and students throughout, but please contact us if you need this information in any other language or format or if you have any questions. You can call the office on 01823 412396 or email covidnhs@heathfieldcommunityschool.co.uk.  

Click here to download our Privacy Notices
Click here to download a consent form

Click here to download a copy of our latest careers newsletter.

In addition to the Careers Newsletter  here are some other useful sites to explore:

www.Barclayslifeskills.com - This site includes lots of information and advice for young people and families to build resilience and employability skills for the future (all free resources)

www.nextstepssw.ac.uk - This site has a range of information about Higher Education and You, student life, student stories and finance.  It has virtual university experiences, a parent's area which includes Your Child's Options (GCSE and Further Education).

Next Steps South West have also teamed up with Unibuddy which allows students to chat with students and staff.  Although Unibuddy is always available, NSSW have started drop-in sessions on Wednesday afternoons 2.30pm-5.30pm until July 2021.  There is a video on the website about the Unibuddy programme.

https://nextstepssw.ac.uk/nssw-unibuddy-for-parents/

https://nextstepssw.ac.uk/unibuddy/?unibuddy=buddies%2Fstudents

UPDATE

Year 11 - On Thursday 25^thFebruary,  Huish will be have their next ‘Meet Charlotte’ Facebook Live event. Questions can be sent to our Facebook and Instagram .

charlottes@richuish.ac.uk

www.huish.ac.uk

The 2021 Aspire Challenge Award programme has now been officially launched and copies of the Challenge booklets are available from the student hub or  by clicking here. 

The Aspire Challenge Programme is a Heathfield Award scheme designed to inspire YOU to achieve YOUR potential and celebrate YOUR ability throughout your school years.  

The Aspire Challenge Programme consists of a number of challenges which aim to stretch, challenge, engage and motivate Heathfield students in a wide range of skills and subjects.  There is no realistic limit to the number of challenges you can undertake and achieve.

The challenges can be completed in any order.  Certificates are awarded once you have completed blue, red and green challenges and if you complete the bronze, silver, gold, platinum or rhodium challenges, you receive a pin badge to wear on your school jumper.

Most importantly, the challenges encourage you to learn new skills, seek high levels of achievement, make positive contributions to society and aspire academically, socially and emotionally.

The Aspire challenges can be found in this booklet along with information on the requirements of each challenge and which member of staff is responsible for signing-off each challenge.  The booklet also contains guidelines for submitting your work in a Covid-safe way.  Once enough challenges have been completed, you will be awarded with a pin badge and/or a certificate.

Are you ready to Aspire?

Good luck!

Mr Bament
Aspire Programme Co-ordinator.

NB: The Maths Aspire booklet is also available by clicking here.

Please click here to download the first edition of our Careers Newsletters.

Dear parent/carer,

School continues to remain open for children of critical workers and students considered to be ‘vulnerable’. The link to the online form for places in the week commencing 1st February is below. Forms will be live from Midday Friday the 5^th of February  until 11.45pm on the Tuesday the 9th of February. This form is for week beginning the 1^st of March. Places will be confirmed within the 48 hours after the form closes. Unfortunately due to our risk assessments and planning for safe staffing levels, students without a booked place cannot be accepted.

Link to booking form:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=evXzFh8sH0SOI5kHz4NMF0Vx5P54-cFEo_1EuxhDoC9UQklNRzlHRTZXWDc4QjFaRzEySlBISERDTC4u

Parents and carers should use the form to indicate that their child falls into either the 'child of a key/critical worker' or 'vulnerable child' category. If your child attends school without a pre booked place, unfortunately they will need to be collected as we are risk assessing, staffing, and resourcing for the numbers we are aware of.

Government guidance extract regarding critical (Key) workers:

‘Parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU transition response include those who work in health and social-care and in other key sectors’ as outlined in the guidance document (link below).

If your work is a critical part of the response to the national emergency then your child will be eligible for a place. You will, I am sure appreciate that school is unable to provide the usual timetabled lessons and experience for students attending in person at school. 

The updated government guidance is that parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can.

The  School appreciates your efforts in dealing with this unprecedented pandemic but  please  consider carefully whether a place at the school is necessary in order  to reduce to risk to pupils and staff at this time.

Critical worker categories – link to guidance: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision#critical-workers

The definitions of students who are considered vulnerable are listed in the government guidance below: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-and-childcare-settings-return-in-january-2021/schools-and-childcare-settings-return-in-january-2021

As I'm sure you will understand we have a number of anxious students, families and staff we would therefore ask that you reinforce to students that it will be essential that they follow staff instructions around social distancing and will need to follow all measures and rules in place to keep us all safe at school.

As a key part of our enhanced risk assessment in response to this new more contagious variant of Covid - 19, we would request that students wear a face covering at all times when indoors, including inside classrooms. Where a student is exempt from wearing a covering we would ask that they wear a visor, which we can provide if needed. This is for their enhanced protection and for the safety of their fellow students they will be moving around or sitting near. 

Stephen Bradford
Attendance Officer
Heathfield Community School

Dear Parents/Carers

Regrettably we have had to make the decision to cancel the upcoming Iceland Trip.

The Department of Education guidance states that no foreign trips are allowed to take place, I am sure you will understand that student and staff safety must take priority.

The Finance Team will be in contact over the coming weeks with refund information.

Kind regards

Miss Sperring

Trip Organiser

School continues to remain open for children of critical workers and students considered to be ‘vulnerable’. The link to the online form for places in the week commencing 1st February is below. Forms will be live from Midday Friday the 22n^nd of January  until 11.45pm on the Tuesday the 2^nd of February. This form is for week beginning the 8^th of February and week beginning 22^nd of February to allow for planning after half term. Places will be confirmed within the 48 hours after the form closes. Unfortunately due to our risk assessments and planning for safe staffing levels, students without a booked place cannot be accepted.

Link to booking form:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=evXzFh8sH0SOI5kHz4NMF0Vx5P54-cFEo_1EuxhDoC9UQklNRzlHRTZXWDc4QjFaRzEySlBISERDTC4u

Parents and carers should use the form to indicate that their child falls into either the 'child of a key/critical worker' or 'vulnerable child' category. If your child attends school without a pre booked place, unfortunately they will need to be collected as we are risk assessing, staffing, and resourcing for the numbers we are aware of.

Government guidance extract regarding critical (Key) workers:

‘Parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU transition response include those who work in health and social-care and in other key sectors’ as outlined in the guidance document (link below).

If your work is a critical part of the response to the national emergency then your child will be eligible for a place. You will, I am sure appreciate that school is unable to provide the usual timetabled lessons and experience for students attending in person at school. 

The updated government guidance is that parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can.

The  School appreciates your efforts in dealing with this unprecedented pandemic but  please  consider carefully whether a place at the school is necessary in order  to reduce to risk to pupils and staff at this time.

Critical worker categories – link to guidance: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision#critical-workers

The definitions of students who are considered vulnerable are listed in the government guidance below: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-and-childcare-settings-return-in-january-2021/schools-and-childcare-settings-return-in-january-2021

As I'm sure you will understand we have a number of anxious students, families and staff we would therefore ask that you reinforce to students that it will be essential that they follow staff instructions around social distancing and will need to follow all measures and rules in place to keep us all safe at school.

As a key part of our enhanced risk assessment in response to this new more contagious variant of Covid - 19, we would request that students wear a face covering at all times when indoors, including inside classrooms. Where a student is exempt from wearing a covering we would ask that they wear a visor, which we can provide if needed. This is for their enhanced protection and for the safety of their fellow students they will be moving around or sitting near. 

Dear parent/carer,

School continues to remain open for children of critical workers and students considered to be ‘vulnerable’. The link to the online form for places in the week commencing 1st February is below. Forms will be live from Midday Friday the 22^nd of January  until 11.45pm on the Wednesday the 27^th of January . This form will close at 11.45pm on Wednesday 27^th for places at school in the week commencing Monday 1^st of February. Places will be confirmed within the 48 hours after the form closes. Unfortunately due to our risk assessments and planning for safe staffing levels, students without a booked place cannot be accepted.

Link to booking form:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=evXzFh8sH0SOI5kHz4NMF0Vx5P54-cFEo_1EuxhDoC9UQklNRzlHRTZXWDc4QjFaRzEySlBISERDTC4u

Parents and carers should use the form to indicate that their child falls into either the 'child of a key/critical worker' or 'vulnerable child' category. If your child attends school without a pre booked place, unfortunately they will need to be collected as we are risk assessing, staffing, and resourcing for the numbers we are aware of.

Government guidance extract regarding critical (Key) workers:

‘Parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU transition response include those who work in health and social-care and in other key sectors’ as outlined in the guidance document (link below).

If your work is a critical part of the response to the national emergency then your child will be eligible for a place. You will, I am sure appreciate that school is unable to provide the usual timetabled lessons and experience for students attending in person at school. 

The updated government guidance is that parents and carers should keep their children at home if they can.

The  School appreciates your efforts in dealing with this unprecedented pandemic but  please  consider carefully whether a place at the school is necessary in order  to reduce to risk to pupils and staff at this time.

Critical worker categories – link to guidance: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision#critical-workers

The definitions of students who are considered vulnerable are listed in the government guidance below: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-and-childcare-settings-return-in-january-2021/schools-and-childcare-settings-return-in-january-2021

As I'm sure you will understand we have a number of anxious students, families and staff we would therefore ask that you reinforce to students that it will be essential that they follow staff instructions around social distancing and will need to follow all measures and rules in place to keep us all safe at school.

As a key part of our enhanced risk assessment in response to this new more contagious variant of Covid - 19, we would request that students wear a face covering at all times when indoors, including inside classrooms. Where a student is exempt from wearing a covering we would ask that they wear a visor, which we can provide if needed. This is for their enhanced protection and for the safety of their fellow students they will be moving around or sitting near. 

Stephen Bradford
Attendance Officer
Heathfield Community School

Anne Treeby is retiring today after 25 years at Heathfield school.

Anne is a very private person and would not want a huge fuss. However, we cannot let the opportunity go in these unprecedented times to recognise in a collective way the dedication and impact Anne has had over her time at Heathfield. 

She is overwhelmed with the cards and gifts she has received from staff present and past, and parents have expressed their gratitude to Anne in her role as a First Aider and front line receptionist , and her advice has enabled parents to ensure the best for their child. Primary Heads have also said they will miss her friendly face delivering year 6 information packs to all of our feeder schools. This is only a part of what Anne has made her own.

From a day to day perspective Anne has kept all of us informed of daily and upcoming events. Her excellent attendance record reflects her dedication and smooth running of our school community.

Anne is the consummate professional, keen to help where she can, often outside of her remit. She is highly professional, loyal and a perfectionist.

Thank you Anne for all you have done for the Heathfield Community. 

We will all miss you and look forward to times when we can all meet up again.

I am so proud of how our community has reacted to recent events. This video shows how all members of our staff and community have worked together to keep our students safe and protect our staff and wider community. We want to reassure you that we continually update our practises and procedures to ensure we are following all guidelines.

This has been a real team effort and my thanks in particular goes to the site staff, both at school and at the Tacchi Morris Centre, in building a test centre to the exact regulations. Staff have already been tested according to the guidance and students will , with relevant consent forms, be tested from next week.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Andy Pulleyn, Director of the Tacchi Morris Arts Centre,  the lead on this. He and his team have managed to recruit at speed and train a team of very dedicated people in carrying out their duties in an extremely professional manner during these unprecedented times.

Peter Hoare
Head

Dear parent/carer,

School continues to remain open for children of critical workers and students considered to be ‘vulnerable’. The link to the online form for places in the week commencing 25^th January is below. Forms will be live from Midday Friday the 15^th of January  until 11.45pm on the Wednesday the 20^th of January . This form will close at 11.45pm on Wednesday 20^th for places at school in the week commencing Monday 25^th January. Places will be confirmed within the 48 hours after the form closes. Unfortunately due to our risk assessments and planning for safe staffing levels, students without a booked place cannot be accepted.

Link to booking form:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=evXzFh8sH0SOI5kHz4NMF0Vx5P54-cFEo_1EuxhDoC9UQklNRzlHRTZXWDc4QjFaRzEySlBISERDTC4u

Parents and carers should use the form to indicate that their child falls into either the 'child of a key/critical worker' or 'vulnerable child' category. If your child attends school without a pre booked place, unfortunately they will need to be collected as we are risk assessing, staffing, and resourcing for the numbers we are aware of.

Government guidance extract regarding critical (Key) workers:

‘Parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU transition response include those who work in health and social-care and in other key sectors’ as outlined in the guidance document (link below).

If your work is a critical part of the response to the national emergency then your child will be eligible for a place. You will, I am sure appreciate that school is unable to provide the usual timetabled lessons and experience for students attending in person at school. 

The  School appreciates your efforts in dealing with this unprecedented pandemic but  please  consider carefully whether a place at the school is necessary in order  to reduce to risk to pupils and staff at this time. The safest place for your child will be at home where this is possible.

Critical worker categories – link to guidance: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision#critical-workers

The definitions of students who are considered vulnerable are listed in the government guidance below: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-and-childcare-settings-return-in-january-2021/schools-and-childcare-settings-return-in-january-2021

As I'm sure you will understand we have a number of anxious students, families and staff we would therefore ask that you reinforce to students that it will be essential that they follow staff instructions around social distancing and will need to follow all measures and rules in place to keep us all safe at school.

As a key part of our enhanced risk assessment in response to this new more contagious variant of Covid - 19, we would request that students wear a face covering at all times when indoors, including inside classrooms. Where a student is exempt from wearing a covering we would ask that they wear a visor, which we can provide if needed. This is for their enhanced protection and for the safety of their fellow students they will be moving around or sitting near. 

To Year 11 parents,

At this uncertain time I wanted to write to  you again about College applications and the support available for students in making decisions about their next steps after leaving school.

All of the local colleges as you will know have an online applications system.

• For BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE please follow this link https://visit.btc.ac.uk/applicationsupport-schools-0 where advice is given as to how to apply to the College. Please also look at the website for general information on courses. There is a Heathfield page: https://visit.btc.ac.uk/btc-heathfield For specific advice from the College about applications please contact Charity Hunt at HUNTCH@btc.ac.uk
• For RICHARD HUISH COLLEGE please follow this link www.huish.ac.uk where there is a wealth of information about the courses on offer and how to apply.

At Heathfield we also have our independent careers advisor Jackie Martin who is still available to speak to students. You can email her at jmartin1@heathfieldcommunityschool.co.uk  Jackie is happy to phone students and parents. She is also available for virtual interviews every Wednesday on Microsoft TEAMS. Please email her to arrange an appointment time. Jackie is able to give students advice about all of their Post-16 options.

It is important for all students to think about completing their applications soon if they have not already done so. In my previous letter I provided other links of information about the post-16 courses available for students:

• For general information have a look at bbc bitesize guide to options https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z6ws47h
• For general information about A-Levels, please follow this link: A-Levels - Introduction to A-Levels and AS-Levels (a-levels.co.uk)
• For general information about vocational courses follow this link Careerpilot : Get information : Vocational qualifications : What are vocational qualifications?
• T Levels are new courses which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A levels. These 2-year courses, which launched September 2020, have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study.                Introduction of T Levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Apprenticeships are where students learn on the job and spend some time in College. It is effectively a job with training. Using ‘Find an Apprenticeship’ to apply - Amazing Apprenticeships If students are interested in the Performing Arts, you may wish to consider our Sixth Form- the SPACE. This offers a Level 3 Extended  Diploma in Performing and Production Arts.  This is equivalent to 3 A-Levels. Please visit the website https://www.thespacesomerset.co.uk/ for more details.

I hope that this information is useful and that students apply for their next steps as soon as they can (without panicking) Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries at icaddy@heathfieldcommunityschool.co.uk

Yours sincerely

Ian Caddy
Head of Business Studies,
Enterprise and Careers

It is with great sadness that we have decided to withdraw our teams from the Ten Tors this year.

This is an extremely challenging event and even in the best of years preparing students to participate is a huge undertaking.

Although disappointing for those who were excited about this opportunity, us teachers included, we hope parents and students will understand our best intentions in trying to keep everyone safe.

Dear Parents and Carers

Re: Year 9 Curriculum Choices 2021

January is the time when we launch the Year 9 curriculum choices process. Due to the current circumstance that we find ourselves in we will be using digital copies of the materials that are normally handed out, such as the curriculum choices booklet and the options form.

There are three main digital resources to officially start the curriculum choices process.

1. There is a presentation video, to introduce the process of making subject choices.
2. The curriculum choices booklet, which contains course information from each subject leader. This contains key information about courses and students are encouraged to contact staff with any subject specific questions. Contact details for course leaders can be found at the end of the booklet. The video and booklet can be found on our school website, link below:

https://www.heathfieldcommunityschool.com/curriculum/curriculum-options

3. The online curriculum choices form, which should be completed once you and your child have discussed their choices and made your decisions.    

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=evXzFh8sH0SOI5kHz4NMF4JcLKg2f1xOqzQXmNq6-ctUQk1GM01XWkNZVDkzWlNBMjRQMjhJTkE5RC4u

We understand that many students will have already been busy thinking about which subjects they wish to study and will find the process straight forward. There will be others, however, who find this process more of a struggle and may need to discuss their options with subject staff in more detail.

Please do not hesitate to contact subject teachers, course leaders and of course your child’s Head of Year, Miss Martin for their advice. Advice is great, but the final decisions should be ones that your child is comfortable with, as we have found time and again that students flourish when studying subjects that they have played an active part in choosing themselves.

Following the deadline for the completion of the online form, myself and colleagues will begin creating the timetable for the next academic year and will use the Year 9 curriculum choices as the starting point for this.

Please do take time to watch the video and carefully read the booklet, as a starting point for discussions at home. It is a strange time for everyone at the moment but this is an exciting process where students can play a part in shaping their curriculum for their final two years at school.

Once you have read the booklet and watched the video, if you have any questions around the process, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Yours sincerely

Karl Husband
Deputy Head

Dear Year 10/11 parents

Please check out the latest Talent Ed virtual careers opportunities provided in Somerset. This is where students can register and view free online broadcasts about various careers. Please follow this link: https://learnliveuk.com/partner/talented-academies/

All broadcasts air at 4pm on the dates shown.

• 13th January – Armed Forces
• 20th January – Environmental Industries including Energy & Utilities
• 27th January – Creative Industries
• 3rd February – Professional Services
• 10th February – Information Technology & Digital Industries
• 24th February – Education
• 3rd March – Food Production & Farming

Thank you

Ian Caddy

One clear message from the first lockdown was the importance of communication. We also understand that this is an anxious time for many of our families. Therefore we have updated our remote learning page and will host a weekly meeting for our parents (link available here) to answer questions and respond to suggestions.

Dear parents and carers,

I had hoped to be wishing you all a Happy New Year in the knowledge that we had seen the worst of the Covid Pandemic in 2020 . Obviously the news of a lockdown announced yesterday due to a new strain,  planned until at least  half term , naturally causes anxiety amongst all our community. We have learned a lot from experiences in 2020 and I would like to thank Ian Grant and Karl Husband for their skilled leadership in leading the school in challenging times during my absence.

The experience and knowledge they gained has strengthened the capacity of the Leadership Team to deal with the difficult times ahead. We are now in a stronger position with regards to online learning. However, we are not complacent and as always we welcome any feedback.

School remains open for children of critical workers and students considered to be ‘vulnerable’. Weekly online forms will be sent to you via email to register your child(ren) for school the following week. These will need to be completed by the times shown on the forms to secure a place at school. The link to the online form for places in the week commencing 18 January is below. Forms will be live until 11.45pm on the Wednesday of the week prior. For example, this form will close at 11.45pm on Wednesday 13^th for places at school in the week commencing Monday 18^th January. Places will be confirmed within the 48 hours after the form closes. Unfortunately due to our risk assessments and planning for safe staffing levels, students without a booked place cannot be accepted.

Link to booking form:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=evXzFh8sH0SOI5kHz4NMF0Vx5P54-cFEo_1EuxhDoC9UQklNRzlHRTZXWDc4QjFaRzEySlBISERDTC4u

Parents and carers should use the form to indicate that their child falls into either the 'child of a key/critical worker' or 'vulnerable child' category. If your child attends school without a pre booked place, unfortunately they will need to be collected as we are risk assessing, staffing, and resourcing for the numbers we are aware of.

Government guidance extract regarding critical (Key) workers:

‘Parents whose work is critical to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU transition response include those who work in health and social-care and in other key sectors’ as outlined in the guidance document (link below).

If your work is a critical part of the response to the national emergency then your child will be eligible for a place. You will, I am sure appreciate that school is unable to provide the usual timetabled lessons and experience for students attending in person at school. 

Critical worker categories – link to guidance: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision#critical-workers

The definitions of students who are considered vulnerable are listed in the government guidance below: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-and-childcare-settings-return-in-january-2021/schools-and-childcare-settings-return-in-january-2021

As I'm sure you will understand we have a number of anxious students, families and staff we would therefore ask that you reinforce to students that it will be essential that they follow staff instructions around social distancing and will need to follow all measures and rules in place to keep us all safe at school.

As a key part of our enhanced risk assessment in response to this new more contagious variant of Covid - 19, we would request that students wear a face covering at all times when indoors, including inside classrooms. Where a student is exempt from wearing a covering we would ask that they wear a visor, which we can provide if needed. This is for their enhanced protection and for the safety of their fellow students they will be moving around or sitting near. 

Poor behaviour and refusal to follow instructions is likely to lead to students being asked to be collected. The link below will take you to a summary of our behaviour and conduct expectations for those attending school at this time. Please do speak to your child to ensure that they understand these expectations.

Link to conduct expectations:

https://www.heathfieldcommunityschool.com/ckfinder/userfiles/files/AboutUs/Policies/0121-BehaviourContract2021.pdf

For year 11 and 13 students I know how frustrating and disappointing the disruption to your education has been. I think you have shown great spirit and resilience and we will do all we can for you to achieve the success you deserve.

Finally, we would like to reassure you that everyone across the school is working hard to work for everyone in our community to ensure you that the next few weeks are as good and productive as they can be.

Peter Hoare and the Senior Leadership Team

Dear Parents and Carers

End of term update:

It has been an unprecedented term with challenges for students, staff and families that none of us could have predicted. I would like to thank families and students for how overwhelmingly supportive you have been of the measures we have implemented to minimise the chances of Covid-19 spreading in our community.

Coronavirus has understandably dominated our news feeds and has been a key topic of conversation in many homes and workplaces, however I do want to celebrate our students’ achievements as learners and as young people growing up during this challenging term. Students and staff have adapted brilliantly to keep on making progress in their learning. Colleagues and I are always impressed at the high level of application and engagement in lessons.

It has been a pleasure celebrating our stars of the week, who have been selected by their teachers for particular praise. This week’s stars are Mikey, Grace, William, Guy, Jemima, Naomi, Marco, Tabetha, Imogen and Jamie

We also want to celebrate and share with you a selection of the superb work that has been done this term and I hope you will take the time to watch our video showcase which can be found using this link:

https://youtu.be/3M3bf65HMUc

Please also find below some important information regarding contact tracing during the first days of the Christmas break and how you would go about reporting a positive Covid 19 test.

Contact tracing during the Christmas break.

The government have asked schools to contact trace during the early part of the break. What this means is that schools will assist with notifying students and their families if their child or a school colleague is determined to be a close contact of a person with a confirmed positive Covid-19 test result.

• For the first 6 days after teaching ends, up to 23^rd December, if a student or staff member tests positive for Covid-19, having developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in school (by 19^th December), the school is asked to assist in contact tracing and passing on instructions to self-isolate, as the individual identified may have been infectious whilst in school.

• Where a student or staff member tests positive for Covid-19, having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being at school, (20^th Dec onwards) the school does not need to be contacted. Parents and carers should follow contact tracing instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace.

• Where students are required to self-isolate due to contact with a positive case after the first 6 days (from 24^th December onwards), schools do not need to be informed about their absence until the first day of the new term.

• School staff are not required to contact trace from the 24^th December onwards

• A reminder – The 18^th December and 4^th January are both INSET days and students should not attend school.

Public Health colleagues may notify us of positive cases directly over this period, however parents and staff should also notify us, using the email address below. Please note that the office@ email will not be checked over this period.  If you do need to use the email please ensure you give your child’s full name, tutor group and the date of the onset of symptoms as this will speed up our response.

ConfirmedCovid@Heathfieldcommunityschool.co.uk

New announcement regarding rapid results Covid -19 testing in schools next term:

From January 2020 the government will be making ‘Rapid-result’ coronavirus (Covid 19) testing available for schools to use daily for Pupils that are identified as a close contact to a person who has tested positive. This is to ensure that they do not need to isolate and are able to continue their education within school.

It is our intention to implement this as soon as we have access to sufficient tests in the new year and have trained staff to support this process. Testing is voluntary and is designed to reassure parents and carers, whilst minimising school time missed.

I am aware, from conversations with families that many of you, especially those of you with particularly vulnerable loved ones, would feel additionally reassured if your child could receive regular testing. We will write to you again in the new year with more details regarding the specifics of how this will work and we will seek your consent for your child to be involved in such testing.

My thanks go to all school staff who have worked tirelessly this term to provide a safe and secure learning environment in circumstances they were not trained for and have had to adapt to at speed. We also thank parents and carers for bearing with us as we continue to refine our processes and learn new skills in how to provide effective remote learning and we look forward to a time when such measures are a choice and not necessitated due to a pandemic.

It has been lovely for staff to receive so many messages of thanks and praise over this term from members of the community for their hard work, these have lifted staff spirits and have been much appreciated.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our Headteacher back to school full time, with Mr Hoare back at the helm from January. Finally, a personal message of thanks from me to parents, carers and staff for the support you have shown the school leadership team, throughout this term.

From all of us at school, we would like to wish you and your loved ones a safe and restful festive break.

Yours sincerely

Karl Husband

Acting Head

A little video showing a selection of work from our wonderful students this term. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas break.