Message from the headteacher

As you know we use assemblies to communicate informally. This space is now reserved for more formal updates.

We are a local authority school and are obliged to work within their direction. This afternoon, Friday, I have been written to by Derbyshire County Council (DCC) regarding arrangements after 1 June. I have discussed this letter with the Chair of Governors this afternoon and we have agreed that, in our context, our response to this letter means that from 1 June we will:

1. Continue to open for children of keyworkers and vulnerable children. Please contact Mr Hodkin mhodkin@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk if you would like your child to be considered but have not sent them so far. Government guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educationalprovision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educationalprovision

2. Meet face to face with individual students and families who we feel may need more support with online work starting with Y10 and 12. You can contact Miss Gresswell for Y10 students or Mr Flett for Y12 students if you would like to be considered for such a meeting which will be carried out by a senior leader. Y10 – Miss Gresswell: ngresswell@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk Y12 - Mr Flett: mflett@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

3. Work with Derbyshire to finalise our risk assessment and the many adaptations required in order to meet guidance and minimise risk.

4. Wait for discussion between unions and government to be resolved so that our staff can be clear on their eligibility to work.

5. Finalise planning regarding public transport and buses. Currently only students in Y10 with DCC bus passes are eligible to use school transport.

6. Develop and deliver training packages to enable staff to work safely on site.

7. Finalise plans to group students appropriately and provide meaningful teaching in a safe environment to larger groups of Y10 and 12.

8. Provide answers to the many questions which were asked by Y10 and 12 parents/carers in the recent survey.

We will re-evaluate our position daily and will next issue a formal update on Wednesday 3 June when we will share more details about our plans. Our senior team is working closely with a range of schools and our approach is broadly similar to other local secondary schools.

We are aware from survey responses that around 33% of Y10 and 40% of Y12 families were keen to have their children return to school, although we expect this number to change as we share more firm plans about arrangements. This survey also revealed a very wide range of viewpoints about the wisdom of re-opening school to larger numbers. Ultimately, the senior leadership team and governors will make decisions which are underpinned by student need and by the safety of students and staff. It is unlikely that any course of action will please everyone, but Highfields is a strong community and we feel sure that together we will find a way to negotiate these challenging times.

We are Highfields.