Covid-19 - Latest Updates From the Principal

On this page we will update you with key information relating to the school and Covid-19. Previous updates and letters home can all be found on our Letters Home page.

Click HERE to download Exams 2021: How will grades be awarded - a guide for students and parents through the exams process for 2021.

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Update: 29th March 2021

Home Testing Kits - Issued Today

Student home testing kits have been issued today for twice-weekly testing. It's vital that tests continue over the holiday and results are logged.

Click HERE to report the result to NHS Test and Trace.

Students will also need to tell the school the result of each test.

Click HERE to complete the simple form and report the result to the school.

Thank you.

Peter Groves, Principal

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Update: 25th March 2021

Confirmed Case of Covid

Dear Parents and Carers

We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school.

We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

The small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 10 days. The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.

Click HERE to read the full letter.

Peter Groves

Principal

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Update: 12th March 2021

Covid Testing at Home

Dear Parents and Carers

Can I thank you for supporting us by granting consent for your son/ward to be regularly tested for Covid-19 using the lateral flow tests.

As you know we have been carrying the tests out at school until now. All secondary aged students will be offered tests to take at home twice a week, so that we can reduce the spread of the virus. The tests have now arrived at the Academy and will be given to your son/ward to bring home during the week commencing 15 March 2021.  We will send you a text message on the day that your son/ward is given his test packs to bring home

Up to one in three people who have COVID-19 can spread the virus without knowing. This is because they have no symptoms. To reduce the spread of the virus, we need to identify those individuals. We can do this in schools by carrying out tests at home twice every week. 

Each student will receive two packs containing 3 tests per pack.  Full instructions on how to take the tests and report the results are included in each pack.

The result of each test needs to be reported using the NHS Test & Trace self-report website.

Click HERE to report the result to NHS Test and Trace.

Students will also need to tell the school the result of each test. This is done via a quick and easy to complete form found on our website. 

Click HERE to complete the simple form and report the result to the school.

If a student has a positive test result, they will need to stay home and self-isolate. If the result of the test is unclear (void) they will need to do another one. Students have the option to take the test the evening before school, but no earlier. Test results should always be reported.

Taking part

We are delighted that so many of our students have agreed to take part in the national testing programme and all students will be able to attend the Academy whether they take part in testing or not. I am strongly encouraging all students to take part and I thank you once again for granting your consent and helping to protect our Academy community.

Please contact Mr Bray, our COVID Coordinator, if you have any questions or concerns about home testing on b.bray@harrisdulwichboys.org.uk

Thank you for your continuing support.

Yours sincerely

Peter Groves

Principal

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Remote learning - information for parents

Please see our Remote Learning - Information for Parents page, which has details of what to expect from remote education if local restrictions require entire cohorts (or bubbles) to remain at home. 

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Covid-19 - national advice

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature
• a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your child or anyone in the household does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/ or by phoning 111.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19.

Hands

• Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds.

Face

• Cover your face in enclosed spaces, especially where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
• It is now compulsory to wear cloth face coverings on public transport, shops and several other indoor settings.

Space

• Stay 2 metres apart where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place.
• Keep your distance from people who are outside your household or support bubble.
• Limit social gatherings (including abiding by the ‘rule of 6’) and avoid crowded places.

Further information is available at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/education-and-childcare

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Our planning

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.

Download a letter to parents from Public Health England, about 'test and trace', and when to request a test.

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.

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Our recovery curriculum - Covid-19

The Recovery Curriculum is our attempt to bridge the gap in learning which took place as a result of Covid-19. It encompasses changes in the overall academy curriculum, subject-specific development, assessment and pastoral support.

We passionately believe that adapting what we are doing this year is best for the students we serve. All the measures put in place form vital parts of the process of recovery for them. Click HERE to read full details of our recovery curriculum.

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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

When schools return, in accordance with the guidance we have received from the Government, students in all London secondary schools will be required to wear face coverings in communal areas and classrooms.

We recognise that some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings, such as, if they have a physical or mental impairment that prevents them from using one; if you are unsure whether this applies to your child, please contact us.  Likewise, if obtaining a face covering poses a financial difficulty for your family, please let us know and we will provide one. 

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Our overall plan

• The Academy will reopen to students in all year groups.
• 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

All students must wear full HBAED uniform. 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