Updated 13th January 2021

Parent / Carer Virtual Q&A Meetings

 

Covid-19 Advice

 

COVID Consent Form > >

 

The main symptoms of coronavirus are: 

  • A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
  • A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal 

Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms. 

If one of your children have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus: 

  • Get your child tested to check if he or she has coronavirus as soon as possible.
  • Keep your child at home and do not have visitors until the test results show that your child does not have the virus.
  • Notify the school that your child is self-isolating so that we can show it on our attendance records and tell you how your child can access remote learning. 

Government guidance says that anyone in the household must also stay at home until there is a negative test result if one person has COVID-19 symptoms. In order to get a test you can ring 111, or click here and follow the link. 

Your children have already had a long period of school absence and we would much rather have him or her in school.  As part of our efforts to minimise the risk of COVID-19 we will expect all students to:

  • Clean their hands more often than usual - wash hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with running water and soap and dry them thoroughly or use alcohol hand rub or sanitiser ensuring that all parts of the hands are covered.  There will be sanitiser in every classroom. and students should sanitize at the start of each lesson.
  • Have good respiratory hygiene by following the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach. Follow all social distancing measures at school and when travelling to and from school. Be respectful of the feelings of the school and local community. 

How to perform the COVID-19 self-test

Extra-Curriculuar Activities

Due to Covid and tier restrictions our expansive extra-curricular programme has had to be postponed. Students who are enrolled on the Duke of Edinburgh programme should continue to work independently and access on line sessions. Students within the CCF should prepare to attend training face to face and on line from 19th January. We hope to begin all activities once conditions allow but in the meantime students can access a range of activities remotely via the academy website. Any concerns should be directed to Mr Burchell Programme co-ordinator.

Remote Learning - Using MS Teams, ShowMyHomework or Google Classroom

When accessing work from home, please our Remote Learning page which gives you the information you will need to connect to our digital services.

We have updated our Safeguarding Information for Parents to provide resources for parents and students to keep safe whilst online.

Latest letters

Key documents and policies

Safeguarding and wellbeing

We understand that this is a very stressful and anxious time for our students. There will be support everyday between 10am and 11am with members of the Safeguarding team. Feel free to call.

  • For Year 7 and 8 students call Ms Downey on 07515815418
  • For Year 9, 10 and 11 call Ms Britt on 07564079037

What should I do if have not yet returned my Year 6 acceptance form?

Please complete and return this as soon as possible. For further information and enquiries, please email l.jenkins@arkalexandra.org.

Will my child be able to top up their cashless catering account using the cash machines at school?

Unfortunately this will not be possible for safety reasons. The cash machines will be out of use until further notice.

  • Year 7: You will receive a letter with your Parent Pay details this week.  You can then top up your child’s account online.  Lunch will be free to all Year 7 students on Wednesday to ensure you have time to top up your child’s account.
  • Years 8 to 13: Your Parent Pay details remain the same as last year.  If you have forgotten these, please email info@arkalexandra.org.

If you are unable to access Parent Pay on a computer or phone, we can issue a Pay Point bar code so that you can top up your child’s account at local shops.  Please email your child’s Head of Year if this is the case.

Further information

Item Link Action
How to Be a Great AAA Parent https://arkalexandra.org/sites/default/files/How%20to%20be%20a%20great%2... Review and implement within your home before 1st September
Home Academy Agreement https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=dBTLADSljUaCn2NuzjLC... Review, sign and send back with your child on 1st day of school
Uniform https://arkalexandra.org/sites/default/files/Uniform%20Policy%20-%202020... Ensure your child has all required items in advance of the 1st day of school
Equipment https://arkalexandra.org/sites/default/files/Uniform%20Policy%20-%202020... Ensure your child has all items in advance of the 1st day of school
Attendance   https://arkalexandra.org/sites/default/files/Attendance%20and%20Punctual... Should your child be ill, call the absence line (0)1424 439888 before 8:05am
Structure of the Day https://arkalexandra.org/life-school/school-day Ensure you and your child are familiar with this schedule before the 1st day of school
Extremely Vulnerable list https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cor onavirus-covid-19/people-at-higherris... Email: info@arkalexandra.org  should this apply to your family
If Displaying C-19 symptoms https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cor onavirus-covid-19/testing-andtracing/... Consult the NHS if you or your child display symptoms and report to NHS Track and Trace
Track and Trace https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk/ Report symptoms and testing details to Track and Trace (if necessary)
Independent Learning Assigned on your child’s Show My Homework account. During lockdown your child would have been set a variety of learning tasks. Quizzes on the learning was set and students should aim for a score of 80% or higher. This is particularly important for Year 10 students as they enter the final year of their GCSE studies.
Worried About Return to School info@arkalexandra.org or 01424 439888   If you’re concerned with the return to school, call in to discuss with our Pastoral and Safeguarding teams before return in September
For more information www.arkalexandra.org Please visit our website for key information for all year groups.

 

Breaks and buying food in the canteen There are now two break times and food is available to buy in the canteen from either 11.15 – 11.45 or 13.45 – 14.45. Your child will be allocated one of the break time slots to purchase food from the canteen. We are suggesting that all students bring snacks and water if they are not bringing a packed lunch. Please remember that foods high in sugar (sweets) are detrimental for students learning and should therefore be avoided. Water is the only drink that is allowed in school, again for the benefit of the students
Transitions around school Students will move purposefully around the school at a whisper in single file on the left-hand side of the corridors. One-way staircases will be in operation. 
Entrance and exit routines On entering the classroom, students will routinely use hand sanitiser before sitting down for the ‘do now’ activity. We expect all students to have a reading book with them.
Classrooms   Where possible, non-specialist classrooms will be arranged with all desks in rows facing forward.
Detentions and intervention Detentions and intervention sessions will take place in accordance with the school behaviour policy with an emphasis on maintaining distancing between students.
Assemblies Assemblies will take place within year groups only and will be conducted remotely broadcasted into their form classroom
School trips There will be no domestic overnight (UK) or overseas educational visits throughout the autumn term. Other day trips may take place in accordance with government guidance
Enrichment and Drop-Down Days (DDD) Students will participate in DDDs within their year groups. Enrichment will follow the same format and tutor groups will cycle through each club spending three weeks in each. Some activities will be adjusted to meet government guidelines (see music and physical activity).
Music and physical activity Singing, playing wind or brass instruments and the use of choirs and ensembles will be limited and carefully controlled. Sports equipment will be frequency cleaned and contact sports avoided. The annual school musical is postponed.
Cleaning and hygiene Frequently touched surfaces, items and toilets will be subject to an enhanced cleaning rota. Regular hand washing, and good respiratory hygiene will be promoted throughout the school. School uniforms should be cleaned regularly.
School events  Traditional autumn term school events such as Prize Evening, Open Days, Black History Month Concert and Parents Evenings will be conducted remotely.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) PPE will only be required if an individual becomes ill with coronavirus symptoms or where a student routinely receives intimate care. All students will be expected to uphold our no touching rule.
Parental meetings Will be by appointment only. Please call reception in case of an emergency. Appointments will be conducted by telephone/video conference wherever possible.