Dear parent/carer,
I’m sure you will have heard or read the announcement from Welsh Government yesterday evening regarding schools continuing with their blended learning provision until the 18th January at the earliest. What we don’t know at this time is whether this will be extended beyond that date. Given the serious situation we now find ourselves in with regard to the spread of Coronavirus and the decisions already taken in England and Scotland to maintain blended learning into February, we have to be mindful that extending blended learning provision for Lliswerry High School learners beyond the 18th is a distinct possibility, although not definite.
The government announcement also raised questions that still have to be answered regarding arrangements for the awarding of qualifications for our learners in Years 10, 11, and the Sixth Form. Before Christmas there was some clarity around this matter and we were expecting further details this week. However, at this point it has not been confirmed whether there will now be further changes to previously communicated arrangements and this will understandably cause further anxiety amongst parents, carers and learners.
So, unfortunately there are important things we currently do not know. What we do know however, is that whether providing blended (home) learning online or with work packs or face to face learning in school, we are ready to continue to do our very best to support all of our learners and families. Also, when there is confirmation and clarity of the arrangements for the awarding of qualifications this year we will do our absolute utmost to ensure that our learners are not disadvantaged and ultimately achieve the grades and qualifications they deserve.
Throughout this period of blended learning we will continue to offer childcare for children of critical workers (please see details below), which has been agreed by the school. We will also provide a learning environment for a very small group of other identified learners who will be contacted individually by school staff. Provision of vouchers for children receiving free school meals (FSM) will also be extended to cover this period.
Provision for Children of Critical Workers
This is for children of critical workers who are in Years 7 or 8 only.
Therefore, to qualify for this provision the following criteria must be met:
* the child concerned is in Year 7 or 8
* at least one parent is identified as a critical worker and
* one or both parents are unable to work from home, and
* there is no other childcare available
In the case of single-parent households, children are eligible to attend this school provision where that parent falls within the critical worker definition and is unable to work from home, and has no other available childcare.
Any child attending this in-school provision will undertake the blended learning that would previously have been provided for completion at home.
Should you meet the criteria above and want your child to attend the school based provision, please e-mail admin@lliswerryhigh.org stating your child’s name and form and how you meet the criteria. A member of school staff will then contact you in due course to discuss your e-mail. Please note that your request for a place in this provision must be accepted and confirmed by the school before your child can attend. We will, of course, do our utmost to deal with any requests as quickly as possible.
As we move into 2021, it continues to be a difficult time and this is made more worrying when we are considering the education and futures of our children. However, the vaccine brings cautious optimism that relatively soon we may be able to return to what we all understood to be ‘normal’ not too long ago, and it is important that through these continuing challenges we remain as positive as we can about the future.
In the meantime, thank you once again for your support and understanding. I will update you with any further information regarding a return to face to face learning and how qualifications will be awarded this year as soon as I possibly can.
Best wishes,
Neil Davies
Headteacher