Autumn Term
18th JANUARY 2021 Issue 1 : 4th September 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians, I do hope that this finds you well. I just wish to bring you up to date on the latest Government guidance concerning Lateral Flow Tests (mass testing). These are the tests that we were ready to use as we returned to school, prior to the newest lockdown and school closures. It remained that any pupil or staff member who had come into contact with a positive Covid-19 case within the school would be able to receive serial testing over seven days. On each day that a negative test was recorded, those pupils and staff had leave to remain at school. This would have included our boarders and key worker children. We have now been informed that this is no longer the case, and serial testing will not be used. In brief: we're back to isolating whole bubbles. On our reopening, I believe that Lateral Flow Tests will be used initially to 'screen' for Covid-19, but there is no comment on the former plan to set up weekly testing of pupils. I also wish to draw your attention to the consultation being run by the Department for Education - Miss Nelson has sent the link to parents of girls in Years 13 and 11, to whom my comments are principally addressed - as to how best to manage the process of awarding A Level and GCSE grades this year. This consultation is for parents, teachers and pupils, so please do have your say. I am cautiously optimistic that the noises being made are sensible: the possibility of 'mini' papers produced by examination boards to be taken at school under exam conditions (but marked by teachers), together with the absolutely vital component of external moderation, and a range of evidence i.e.: not simply mock performance. I wish to reassure all girls and parents that we will always do our utmost to support them through this exceptionally difficult time. We weathered it last year, and we shall do so again. My continued congratulations to all the pupils for approaching their studies with such good cheer, and my sincere thanks, as ever, to all the staff. I do hope you all have a very pleasant weekend. Best wishes, Dr Claire McShane
Consultation on how GCSE, AS and A level grades should be awarded in summer 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)