Letter 17 July

Dear Parents / Carers,

As this academic year draws to a close, I hope this letter finds you, your families and friends well. We have found ourselves living in strange and uncertain times. However, from conversations we have had with students we feel confident that most of them, along with their families, are coping well.

I have been impressed in how Y12 first settled down to sixth form and how they have adapted during the disruption to their education. As we move into the summer holidays we are keen that students enjoy this time as best they can, but also hope that it can be used productively in order to prepare for Y13.

Start of term

All four LaSWAP schools plan to re-open to all students in September following extensive risk assessments at each site. There will by necessity be some adjustments to timetables and movement around sites which we will go through with the students on their first day back.

Please see below arrangements for the start of Year 13:

• Thursday 3 September:
  Most students have already had a transition meeting with a member of KS5 team and this day will be used to meet with any student who has not yet had this conversation. Appointments for these meetings will be sent out over the holidays.

• Friday 4 September: Students should arrive during break (10.50 – 11.15) via Burghley Road gate
  • o Period 2: Year 13 assembly in the Assembly Hall
  • o Periods 3-5: Timetabled lessons

Y13 Ready

Students’ will be receiving a ‘Hit the Ground Running’ booklet (along with a personalized mock timetable) to help them prepare for their learning in Y13. In this booklet each subject has outlined the position that students need to be in on their return to school. It also contains information about what students need to complete for their mocks which will take place w/c 19 October. If students have not received these documents by 31 July, please contact me on the email below and I will send you a copy.

We know that there will be things that look and feel different when students come back to school but are confident that students will do well if they prepare for year 13 and maximise the teaching they will receive in the new school year. Therefore it is important that when we re-start students’ attend all lessons and work hard in order to attain their potential.

Exams 2021

OFQUAL are currently consulting on proposals to modify the assessment requirements for some GCSEs, AS and A levels in response to disruption to education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also proposals to move the exam series to later in the summer 2021. The consultation closed on 18 July and as soon as there is definitive guidance we will share it with you. You may wish to keep up to date with the proposals via the OFQUAL website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-gcses-as-and-a-levels-in-2021

UCAS

All students (regardless of whether they are going to university) should have begun their UCAS application. Resources have been sent to them via the weekly tutor emails that they have received. I ask you to please check with your child that they have begun this process. If for any reason, they say they have not received the resources please let me know and I will send them to you.

Finally, I would like to offer my best wishes for the summer and beyond, and hope that you all stay well. If for any reason you need to contact me please feel free to do so by the email below. We are really looking forward to welcoming our students back in September and thank you for your ongoing support during this challenging period.

Yours,

Ron Stokes
Head of Y12 and Y13
rstokes@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk