Current communication on Covid-19

The Government has today (30/12/20) announced that the start of term has been delayed for all children except for those attending our key worker provision. We are currently awaiting further details from the DfE and once we have all of this information we will be able to write to you setting out clear arrangements for how the school will reopen. This will be provided to parents no later than Sunday 3rd of January.

18/12/20

Letter from Headteacher - Start of Term 3 2021

Click link above to read details on the government guidance on coronavirus testing in secondary schools and a staggered start to term 3, 2021.

14/12/20

NHS Test and Trace Covid19 testing for staff students and family members

Read the letter linked above to read new details about NHS Test and Trace.

Letter from headteacher regarding week starting 14 December 2020

Click on the link below

School plans for week 14-12-20

Financial support

If you are struggling financially due to having to self isolate, Swale Borough Council have set this up: https://swale.gov.uk/.../payments-for-those-on-a-low...

The government also has advice and guidance for anyone who may be struggling as a result of Covid-19: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/worker-support

Also, if you feel your child may be eligible for free school meals, please apply here: https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent/apply

Letter from headteacher regarding week starting 7 December 2020

Click on the link below

Letter from headteacher. 3-12-20

30/11/20

Updated government guidance for parents and carers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Guidance for parents and carers to reflect the end of National Restrictions on 2 December and how these settings should operate under the local restriction tiers.

Click on the links below:

Updated guidance on what parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges

Updated guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings

A guide for parents and carers on absence due to covid-19

Click link below to read full guide from gov.uk

A quick guide for parents & carers.pdf

Update on school closure 25/11/20

30 November will see us open for year 7,8 and 9 and closed to year 10 and 11.

Click link below to read full letter from Ms Peden

Update on school closure 25-11-20

Correspondance on Remote Learning (24/11/20)

Click links below to read.

Letter to students - blended learning 24/11/20

November remote teaching and learning letter 6/11/20

Remote Learning FAQ November 2020

Letter to parents extending closure Yr 7, 8, 9 (19/11/20)

Click on link below for full letter.

Letter to parents extending closure Yr 7, 8, 9 19/11/20

Letter from Headteacher (16/11/20)

Due to a significant increase in precautionary isolation of members of staff, we need to close the school to Year 7, 8 and 9 students for the remainder of this week.

Click on link below for full letter.

Parental letter-closing of yr groups 16/11/20

Letter from Headteacher (13/11/20)

Click on link below.

Update letter to all parents re Covid 13-11-20

Correspondance on Remote Learning (6/11/20)

Click links below to read.

November remote teaching and learning letter

Remote Learning FAQ November 2020

Letter from Headteacher (06/11/20)

Click link below to read.

Letter - Covid-19 case update 06-11-20

Letter from Headteacher (05/11/20)

Click link below to read.

Letter - Mandatory face masks 05-11-20

Letter from Headteacher (04/11/20)

Click link below to read.

Letter - Covid-19 case update 04-11-20

Free School Meals during half term (27/10/20)

It has just been brought to our attention that if your child is entitled to free school meals, you can now apply via Kent County Council to receive a £15 voucher for the half term, per child.

You can apply for this here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals

You must apply by the 2nd of November in order to receive the voucher.

If you think your child should be entitled to free school meals, you can also use the link above to apply.

Message from The Sittingbourne School

For the health and safety of our students and staff, The Sittingbourne School is currently segregated into year-group bubbles and zoned areas. From the moment they enter school, students are kept in separate year group areas where they will spend break and lunch. As well as this, each year group has an allocated block where their lessons take place.

We strongly advise that all students wear masks even in their year group areas, and students must wear masks when travelling to and from school on buses and trains.

Please use the links below for NHS advice on symptoms, isolating and when and how to get tested, as well as detailed guidance for parents from the Department for Education.

NHS GUIDANCE

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION GUIDANCE

If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Important Covid-19 update - 3.10.20

Unfortunately, one of our students has tested positive for Covid-19. We wholly understand that this is causing some concern for parents, carers and some members of our school community. Please be assured that we have extensive health and safety measures in place across the school, and we are working closely with Public Health England to continue to keep our students and staff as safe as possible.

Unless you have been instructed otherwise, students should attend school as normal. They are reminded to bring in their face mask which, in line with government guidance, we strongly encourage them to wear in all communal spaces.

As we all know, these are challenging times, but we will get through this by working cooperatively together.

Click here to view - Important letter to parents (3.10.20)

Information letter from Public Health England and NHS Test and Trace 25-09-20

Update letter to parents 21-07-20

Update for September 2020 - 06-07-20.pdf

Keeping children safe online

The government has published new guidance to support you and your children in ensuring that you are able to stay safe on the internet during this extended time away from school. Children's charities have raised concerns regarding children's exposure to inappropriate internet content and the risk of online grooming due to the length of time children have been away from school. The guidance explains what the risks are and gives links to organisations that can give you further information and support. This guidance will consolidate the learning students have completed in character education regarding this subject.

If you have concerns about keeping safe on the internet and would like to speak to a member of staff please contact the school and ask for Mr Ball or the DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) on duty.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-keeping-children-safe-online

Year 10 information

Year 10 letter 12-06-20.pdf

TSS - Parent Guidance for Travel.pdf

TSS Lunch Menu.pdf

Year 10 Information Video on Returning to School (click to watch)

Year 10-12 provision letter 01.06.20.pdf

Reopening Information 22.05.20

Letter regarding reopening school 22.05.20.pdf

A message for all GCSE, AS and A level students this summer

Letter from OFQUAL.pdf

Additional Information here

Important information for all parents and carers regarding school closure and keeping safe. (gov.uk)

REMOTE LEARNING (click the links below)

Letter to parents on remote learning 20-03-20

The Sittingbourne School parental guidance

The Sittingbourne School Student Guidance for Remote Learning

Click here: Urgent communication to parents-carers 20-03-20.pdf (Written 20 March 2020)

Click here: Letter from The Sittingbourne School with information for parents/carers on Year 10 and Year 9 closure (Written 18 March 2020)

Click here: Letter from The Sittingbourne School with information for parents/carers on Covid-19 (Written 18 March 2020)

Click here: Letter from The Sittingbourne School with information for parents/carers on Covid-19 (Written 13 March 2020)

Further information from the Department of Education about the latest measures set out in the Government's coronavirus response

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkW7QcTsBcY&feature=emb_title

How to wash your hands properly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQCP7waTRWU&feature=emb_title

One of the more obvious features of the COVID-19 outbreak is the pace at which any written update becomes out-of-date. For that reason, I would refer you to the following sources:

COVID-19: guidance for education settings

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19

Government Coronavirus Action Plan

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-action-plan

Government Information for the Public

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public

What you need to know about COVID-19

https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/

PHE website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

World Health Organisation. General information about COVID 19

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/