Dear Parent/Carers

Re: Return to school in January 2022

As we draw to the end of the autumn term I would like to outline arrangements for your child’s return to school in January 2022.

The arrangements outlined below are so that we can ensure that every child is able to have one Lateral Flow Test, carried out on the school site, before they return to school. It is important that your child also completes a Lateral Flow Test at home before attending school. This advice has been given to the school by Public Health England and is a direct response to the high number of Covid-19 cases we have seen over the last few weeks. During the first few days the school will be prioritising completing testing as soon as possible and therefore will not be delivering ‘live’ on-line lessons. Additional independent work will be set via Google Classroom on Tuesday 4 January. Students who are not in school are expected to access and complete this from Wednesday 5 January. 

Tuesday 4 January – School is closed for an Inset Day

• No students should attend the site on this day.

Wednesday 5 January – KS4 & KS5 Lateral Flow Testing

• All students should arrive for their Lateral Flow Test at the main student entrance on Elsa Road
• Students are expected to wear school uniform
• When students have completed their test they will leave the school site
• Year 11 students should arrive at 9.00
• Year 10 students should arrive at 11.00
• Year 13 and Year 12 students should arrive at 14.00
• KS3 students are not expected in school.

Thursday 6 January – KS3 Lateral Flow Testing & return to school for KS4 and KS5 students

• Students in KS4 and KS5 should attend school at normal time and will follow their timetable

• As before, KS3 students should arrive for their Lateral Flow Test at the main student entrance on Elsa Road
• Students are expected to wear school uniform
• When students have completed their test they will leave the school site

• Year 7 students should arrive at 9.30
• Year 8 students should arrive at  11.30
• Year 9 students should arrive at 13.30.

Friday 7 January – KS4 and KS5 students in school as normal and KS3 students return to school

• Students in all year groups should be in school as normal
• Students should use the correct school gate for their year group.

As we approach the end of this autumn term we have some staff who will be leaving us and we wish them all the very best in the future. Staff leaving are Mr Tenn, Science Teacher, Ms Darcy, English Teacher, Mr Ahmed, Head of ICT, Business and Vocational Studies, Ms Baker, Head of Performing Arts and Ms Cressey, Science Technician. Ms Major, Deputy Headteacher will also be retiring at the end of this term after an incredible 18 years service at Welling School.  During this time Ms Major has fulfilled a number of whole school responsibilities and we are going to miss her expertise. We are grateful that Ms Major is staying on for one day a week to support the school with its accreditation as an International Baccalaureate (IB)  World School. This is in preparation for September 2022 when it is our intention to deliver the post-16 IB Careers-Related Programme.

Please can I finish by acknowledging that this has been an exceptionally challenging term for the whole school community and we really do appreciate the support of our parent/carers. On behalf of the whole school community I wish you and your families a safe and restful Christmas holiday.

With very best wishes.

Yours faithfully

Mr R Pett

Headteacher