Dear Parent & Carers 

From tomorrow new national restrictions are in place as directed by the government in response to the covid-19 pandemic. Full details of the national restriction guidance is here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november 

Throughout the period of these national restriction’s schools will remain open. Being at school is vital for children’s education and for their wellbeing. Time spent out of school is detrimental for children’s cognitive and academic development.

At Blaise High School we have reviewed our current risk assessment and procedures to ensure it is effective and to update any mandatory changes required by the government. An updated copy of our risk assessment will be available on our website from tomorrow. Please be assured that we have carefully reviewed all aspects of school life and make it our upmost priority to ensure the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of all our students and staff at this time.

An important mandatory change that must be in place in school from tomorrow is the wearing of face coverings by both staff and students for some parts of the school day. Both staff and students will be required to wear face coverings when walking around the building, being in corridors and communal areas where social distancing can’t be maintained. This means we will require students to wear a face covering at the following times:

1. In roll call
2. In all transitions
3. In the indoor social time areas when not eating or drinking

Students may choose to wear their face covering at any other part of the school day they wish.

Below is a summary of our expectations for the style of face mask allowed and the way in which they should be safely worn:

Some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings and Blaise High School will be sensitive to those needs. The guidance for exemption can be found here: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own 

If you believe that your child is exempt please contact the school. We will work collaboratively to discuss this and decide next steps.

Please ensure your child arrives at school tomorrow with the face covering they require. During roll call face coverings will be issued to any student without this required part of their uniform.

To review all government requirements for education and child care settings during this time of national restriction please use this link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-and-childcare-settings-new-national-restrictions-from-5-november-2020 

Yours faithfully,

Ms K Brown

Headteacher