Announcement

 

Given that we have now had to reduce our provision due to staff absence and close to the school to Years 9 and 10, I wanted to offer a broad update and some specifics in relation to our contingency plans for accessing work and learning from home. 

 

 

Faculties and Subjects have been working on plans and instruction to support home learning in the possible event of full school closure. These plans will include specific and general pieces of work for each year group as well as information on online resources that can be accessed. 

 

In the immediate, there is a need to support both students in self-isolation and, of course, learners in Years 9 and 10. The potential volume of individual requests for specific work in this circumstance would be untenable for teaching staff and so students currently off school should work on the following until further notice:

 

I will use the school's website as the first point of call for information and updates for parents, so please do look out for announcements and information about home working in the event of school closure. For students, Show My Homework is the key platform for communication and resourcing. 

 

 

School will be open to students in Years 9 & 10 who are not self-isolating to pick up their exercise books from classrooms, should they so wish, from 3.30 to 4.30pm on Thursday 19th March. 

 

 

Finally, you will have noticed a significant number of cancelled events, trips and visits in recent days. This will continue as we seek to minimise and limit unnecessary 'social contact' for students, families and staff. I know this will be disappointing to many students but I hope everyone appreciates the unprecedented nature of the situation. 

 

 

Please continue to take advice from the NHS on 111 should you need medical advice for you and your family. The online link is: https://111.nhs.uk/ 

 

 

Despite having been forced to limit our capacity due the extensive and growing levels of staff absence, whilst we are still able to offer instruction and a learning environment to a proportion of the community, I would also like to extend this offer to students in Years 9 and 10 whose parents are employed  in front line services, working for the NHS, Thames Valley Police and the Fire Service. For those parents and carers to whom this applies, please contact school reception. 

 

 

We have set up an email address on SBSstudentsupport@st-birinus.oxon.sch.uk which connects all Heads of Year and Pastoral Leaders. If you have any concerns about your son's wellbeing whilst your child is in self-isolation or away from school due to closure, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

 

In any eventuality, please do get in touch with school reception by emailing stbirinus@st-birinus.oxon.sch.uk if you have queries or questions - I can only thank you all for your continued support and flexibility in these uncertain and challenging times. 

Best wishes,