30 October 2018 Dear Parent/Carer, RE
Year 7 & 8 Update
Following detailed discussions with Lancashire County Council (LCC) I can now confirm that all pupils in years 7 & 8 can return to school from Wednesday 31st October. However, as our school is still undergoing the necessary repairs our pupils will then be transported to alternative accommodation, Hameldon College in Burnley. I have visited this week with my senior team, staff and met with the Headteacher, Mr Tolson. As this school is not at full capacity there is ample teaching space for us to use, which he has kindly offered. Our pupils will be completely self-contained within part of their building, with separate timings and taught by our staff. The arrangements will not cause any inconvenience as pupils will arrive at Rhyddings at the normal 8.45am and return just prior to 3pm. In order to facilitate this LCC will be providing coaches to transport our pupils to and from Hameldon College. To assist please avoid using Haworth St to drop/collect your child as this is where the school buses will need access. Lunch arrangements will be in place at Hameldon for all pupils but you can provide a packed lunch if you wish. I would also recommend that pupils pack their PE kits on Friday as some PE/Sport will be available. Throughout this period pupils will receive a variety of subjects and lessons that they are accustomed to. Key pastoral staff, including SEN support will also be in place and all other usual routines operate as normal. If you need to contact school at any point regarding your child during this period please do so in the normal way by contacting Rhyddings. We will handle communications between the two sites. If, for any reason, a pupil has an appointment during the day or is unwell for example, we can arrange return transport to Rhyddings. Unfortunately, pupils cannot be dropped/collected directly at Hameldon either for the start or the end of the school day as transport is provided within our current school day timings.
If you do have any further questions please do contact school but rest assured this is the best solution under the circumstances and one I am pleased is now confirmed. It is therefore essential that your child returns to school on Wednesday 31st Oct and we will continue this arrangement until we can return to our own accommodation, following completion of the current building repairs. Yours sincerely,
Andrew Williams Headteacher