Update on the phased re-opening of academies

We hope that you and your family remain safe and well.

As you will be aware, the government made a request for schools to start reopening from 1 June. In preparing to re-open to more pupils, it is extremely important for us to get this right, with the safety of pupils and staff at the centre of our decisions.

We know that this will be a concerning time for you, so we want to reassure you that our plans will adhere to the government’s guidance, as well as local authority advice, and we have taken our own individual academy site into consideration. Over the last week, we have carried out risk assessments to ensure we can open safely – and we will continue to review these on an ongoing basis.

What does this mean?

Special schools
Based on our risk assessments, Diverse Academies Trustees have approved the wider opening of both Yeoman Park and Redgate academies. Children already attending the Yeoman Park hub will return to Redgate from 8 June. We will then extend the days those children attend to full time. Further details of the specific arrangements will be sent separately to the parents/carers of students in these groups.

Welcoming back more children

Subject to approved further risk assessments, we will start welcoming back more children into both Yeoman Park and Redgate academies in small groups. This will begin from week commencing 15 June and will increase over the next two weeks – however, this remains dependent on government guidance and capacity within our academies. We will continue to keep you updated as soon as further guidance is issued. Parents and carers will be contacted by phone in the week prior to these dates to discuss arrangements.

Support and home learning
We appreciate these plans may be different to other special or mainstream schools, both locally and nationally, however it is important that the wider opening of our academies is done so based on our own risk assessments.

It is important to note that it is your right to continue to provide home education if you do not wish to send your children back into the academy – you will not be penalised or fined should you wish to keep them at home. We will respect whatever decision you make, in the interests of the health and safety of your family.

Our home learning provision will continue to support children and their families, as we have been during the period of partial closure.

Important updates to policies

We would also like to draw attention to three important documents which have also been approved by Trustees. Please ensure you take the time to read these:

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy – Covid-19 appendix

Behaviour Policy – Covid-19 appendix

Privacy Notice – Covid-19 Track and Trace

As ever, we are here to support you in whatever way we can, so please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns. And finally, thank you again for your continued patience and your support of our academy.

Covid-19 School Risk Assessment Template