Covid-19 - Latest Updates From the Principal

Dear Parents/Carers and students

We are delighted to be opening the Academy to all our students from September.

On this page, I will update you with key information relating to the school and Covid-19, so that you always have the latest details in one place.

We are following the most recent government guidance to ensure that the academy is fully compliant with the required health and safety standards. You can also download our Student Guide to Returning to HBAED.

As always, and particularly through these challenging times, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us should have any questions or feel we can support in any way.

Peter Groves, Principal

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Our planning

Download our Tier 2-4 Local Restrictions planning document, explaining the plans we have in place.

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Staggered start and finish times

We are staggering the start and dismissal times from September 2020. Please see details below.

	Arrival Time	Entry Gate	Dismissal Times
Year 7	08:15-08:30	Student Gate on Peckham Rye	Mon/Tue/Thur/Fri 14:45 Wed 14.00
Year 8	08:15-08:30	Student Gate on Peckham Rye	Mon/Tue/Thur/Fri 14:45 Wed 14.00
Year 9	08:45-09:00	Student Gate on Peckham Rye	Mon – Thurs 15:15 Fri  14:30
Year 10	09:15-09:30	Friern Road Gate	Mon/Fri 15:00 Tues/Wed/Thurs 16:30
Year 11	9:15-9:30am	Student Gate on Peckham Rye	Mon/Fri 15:00 Tues/Wed/Thurs 16:30

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Getting to the academy

Where possible you must walk or ride a bicycle. If this is not possible and you need to use public transport you must maintain social distancing and follow TfL guidance on wearing a face covering. If you are concerned about this please speak to your tutor or a member of staff.

You must travel alone or with siblings; you are not permitted to wait for friends or meet friends and you are expected to go straight home at the end of the day. On dismissal from the academy students should go straight home each day and avoid congregating outside. Students should not attend local shops or businesses as this will increase the potential for contact between different groups. By following these clear protocols, we will support each other and our local community in our efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Designated bus stops

On dismissal, students in Years 7, 9 and 10 will be directed from Friern Road towards Barry Road so that they can get to their designated bus stops. Students in Year 8 and 11 will be directed to the bus stops nearest to their dismissal gate (Peckham Rye).

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Face coverings - updated government advice

Our local area Southwark, is not a local intervention (lockdown) area therefore, in line with the government guidance, we will not be making the wearing of face coverings mandatory in school.

At HBAED we have strong control measures which mean that masks are not necessary at this time. These measures include:

• Separation of year groups at all times with demarcated teaching zones, staggered timetable, break and lunchtimes
• Every student being in a consistent mini bubble with fixed seating
• Stringent hygiene and respiratory controls including regular hand washing/ sanitising, and enhanced cleaning
• Social distancing across the Academy when not in bubble.

However, we understand that some students will feel more comfortable wearing a face mask in the corridors and communal areas and we are very happy for them to do so. Likewise, staff will also have the option of wearing masks in communal areas and corridors.

Students will not be able to wear their face mask in classrooms. This is based on current evidence and the measures that schools are already putting in place, such as the system of controls and consistent bubbles, the current government guidance states that, ‘face coverings will not be necessary in the classroom even where social distancing is not possible. Face coverings would have a negative impact on teaching and their use in the classroom should be avoided.’ Should a local lockdown be implemented we will, of course review our guidance.

All students and staff wearing face masks must bring in a resealable bag for storing them during lessons and meal times. In line with guidance, face masks must be put in a resealable plastic bag while eating, or upon entering or leaving a classroom. Please note that it is vital that face coverings are plain, appropriate and worn correctly; they must cover the nose and mouth and should not be worn below the chin or exposing those areas of the face mentioned above. 

Please do speak with your son/daughter about the rules covering face masks, and the expectations of the Academy that masks are used correctly and safely. You can read the latest government guidence HERE.

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Our overall plan

• The Academy will reopen to students in all year groups in September.
• Students must return to their compulsory education.
• We shall be placing groups of students into ‘bubbles’ in order to reduce the risk of transmission.
• Students will continue to study a broad and balanced curriculum, as you would expect from HBAED.
• Students will return in full academy uniform, including academy bag.

We have taken steps to ensure that the Academy is a Covid-19 secure workplace for staff and students and the safety of our community remains a top priority. We have implemented the following:

• New hygiene rules and hand washing routines for students and staff
• Extensive and advanced thorough cleaning of the Academy
• Floor markings to help students recognise what a safe distance is from each other
• Designated zones for each year group
• A staggered start to the Academy day as well as staggered breaks and lunch times, to reduce contact with others
• Adapted timetable of lessons to reduce movement within the building
• Additional Academy entrances to separate year groups
• Reduction in the number of visitors to the Academy.

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Uniform

Note to parents: We know that there is an issue regarding the supply of blazers from our uniform supplier, Stevensons. We have been informed they will be in stock from September 7th. Any student not in Year 7 who is awaiting delivery of their Academy blazer should bring a note into the Academy. For these students, the blazer will be compulsory from Monday 14th September.

All students must wear full HBAED uniform (though see note about blazers above). The uniform includes black trousers that must be school trousers. Chino or jean style trousers are not permitted.  It is also important that your son/ward has the correct shoes. These must be black leather shoes that can be polished.  As autumn and winter approach can I also remind you that HBAED students wear a plain dark coloured coat.  Camouflage style coats are not permitted. Please check our uniform and equipment policy if you would like examples of acceptable uniform.

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Protect yourself from Covid-19

If you are worried whether your child’s symptoms may be Covid-19 related, please click HERE to read a guide from Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

You MUST remain socially-distanced from staff and students at all time. You will be expected to wash/sanitise your hands frequently and it will be required at the following times:

• After coming into school
• After sneezing or coughing
• Before and after handling or eating food
• After going to the toilet.

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Expectations

The following outlines what students must do while at the Academy:

• Arrive to the Academy at your allocated time only
• Students will wash hands before entering the academy building
• Students will wash/sanitise hands before eating
• Students are to remain in their bubble at all times
• Maintain social distancing where appropriate and possible
• Students will avoid using shops before or after school

I have also amended the mobile phone policy whilst students are at the Academy.  We operate a ‘not seen and not heard’ system, so that students are able to carry mobile phones at the Academy in readiness for an NHS Track and Trace App to help control the virus.

We have written to each student’s parent/carer with specific information. Please review this carefully paying close attention to the start and end time for your child’s year group. We do ask for your support at the end of the school day if you are picking your child up, in ensuring that you do not wait outside the Academy which would prevent students and staff from social distancing from yourselves and each other. 

Thank you.

Peter Groves, Principal