Totton News

Dear Parents/Carers,

Totton Positive Cases

I am writing to make you aware that we are currently experiencing a swift rise in positive COVID-19 cases amongst staff and students at our Totton Site since the weekend.

This is now beginning to impact on staffing levels.

We have put in place ‘step up measures’ in the form of:

1. Staff wearing Type IIR Face Masks at all times
2. Students being encouraged to wear face masks where they are able to.
3. Daily LFT testing for all staff
4. Students encouraged to complete daily LFT tests where they are able to.
5. Use of classroom ventilation
6. Clean down of all shared resources and work areas between lessons.
7. Enhanced cleaning at the end of the school day including anti-bacterial fogging of the Totton Site
8. Maintaining as much social distancing as possible
9. Stopping all non-essential visits to the school site.

We have reported the outbreak to the Department for Education and are now working with Public Health England to ensure we take any action required.

Based on the current numbers of positive cases we have had to reduce the number of students attending the site today and switched to online learning for those impacted.

It is likely that we will need to switch to a part time timetable at Totton for the remainder of the week. Senior Leaders are looking at this now and will make contact with parents/carers directly via phone where this may be required.

We will obviously keep any disruption to the absolute minimum and prioritise attendance for Year 11 Students at all times in the lead up to their exams.

We will also look to rotate any remote learning to ensure students have the maximum face to face teaching.

Fawley & Dibden Sites

We also have a small number of positive cases within the staff teams at Dibden and Fawley Sites however this is not impacting on staffing levels at this time.

Increased LFT Testing for All Students

We will be sending additional LFT test kits home with all students today and would appreciate your support in testing your child daily for the remainder of this week if they you are able to.

Can I thank you all in advance for your support of the school at this time.

Kind regards,

Duncan

Duncan Smith
Headteacher

Severe weather Warning – Transport Update

We have just had contact with Transport Services for both Hampshire and Dorset regarding implications for tomorrow with the Amber Weather Warning and forecast gales.

DORSET TRANSPORT SERVICES

Dorset have cancelled all transport for students with the following information provided:

Due to the severe weather warnings associated with Storm Eunice tomorrow and the potential risks to travellers, Dorset Council has made the decision to suspend all transport to schools, alternative provisions and adult day care centres for Friday 18th February.

HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORT SERVICES

Hampshire have not yet made a decision on cancelling student transport. However, they have told all taxi companies that if they are not confident they will be able to safely complete both their morning and afternoon runs, then they should not pick up students in the morning.

OWN TRANSPORT – PARENTS/CARERS

Given the current forecast which has winds between 80-95 mph during the morning we would ask parents/carers who provide their own transport for students to make the decision if you are confident/happy to undertake the journey in to school. If you have any concerns or are unable to make the journey due to travel disruption then please do not worry – simply contact the school so we are aware.

We will continue to monitor the forecast and any correspondence from the Local Education Authority and Transport Services and update parents/carers if anything changes.

Kind regards,

Duncan Smith
Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers,

I am writing to provide some important information as well as updates for the end of this half-term and the start of next half-term.

Severe Weather Warning – Friday 18th February

Please be aware that there is a severe weather warning in place for tomorrow, Friday 18th February, for gale force winds. Whilst we do not anticipate this impacting on school opening, we have made arrangements to minimise travel involving students and staff during the school day as a precautionary measure. Students are being informed today if this means any change to their normal timetable. If any parent/carer is impacted by the gales forecast then please do not hesitate to contact the school and let us know.

End and Start of Half Term Arrangements

The half term finishes tomorrow, Friday 18th February at normal time.

Students return to school on Monday 28th February. 

NB: A reminder that we moved our originally published INSET day from Monday 28th February to Friday 4th March to allow staff to complete the second day of our Read Write Inc Reading Scheme Training. Therefore Students will not be attending school on Friday 4th March

Parents Evenings & Events

I am very pleased to announce that we are able to return to face to face parents evenings and events on our school sites given the steady and continuing decline in COVID-19.

As such we would like to invite parents/carers to visit the school sites for the following initial events:

Parents Evenings

TOTTON SITE

Key Stage 4 Students (Year 10 & 11)
Tuesday 1st March 3:00pm – 6:00pm

Key Stage 3 Students (Year 7-9)
Tuesday 8th March 3:00pm – 6:00pm

DIBDEN SITE

Key Stage 4 Students (Year 10 & 11)
Thursday 3rd March 3:00pm – 6:00pm

Key Stage 3 Students (Year 7-9)
Thursday 10th March 3:00pm – 6:00pm

FAWLEY SITE

Key Stage 2 Students (Year 4-6)
Wednesday 6th April 3:00pm – 6:00pm

The Parents Evenings will be run on a drop in basis (so no need to book appointments), with teachers based in their teaching rooms/areas to discuss your Child’s work and progress. Members of the Senior Leadership Team will also be available to chat with parents.

Final Thoughts

I would like to wish all students and parents/carers a safe and enjoyable half term break. We all look forward to seeing our students again on Monday 28th February.

Kindest regards,

Duncan Smith
Headteacher