Dear Parent/Carer,

Firstly, I hope you and your family are well.

In September of this year, I was full of optimism that my end of term letter would feature our amazing One In A Million Free School students and all they have achieved. As always, they have not let me down and this term has been full of wonderful achievements. Our Key Stage 4 students have adapted well to the challenges of GCSEs and have embraced the new subject offerings of Triple Science and Media Studies with great maturity and enthusiasm. The Year 11 students tackled their first set of mock exams very impressively and, having seen where they need to improve are now busy preparing for their next round of examinations in February.

Our Key Stage 3 students continue to impress in all that they do. I have been delighted to welcome our new Year 7 cohort, who have adapted to school life wonderfully, most notably, all demonstrating our core values admirably when they visited the Alhambra Theatre earlier this week to attend the pantomime as an end of term reward. Our Year 8 & 9 students have also excelled throughout the term, most notably in their progress in their reading, working with Miss Jacques and the Accelerated Reader programme.

Overall, I have been incredibly proud of all our students and, of course, all that they have achieved. They have certainly earned a well-deserved rest over the festive break.

Whilst I wish I could demonstrate the same levels of optimism for the forthcoming term, the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid 19 and the rise of positive cases nationally suggests students may once again be entering a period of disruption to their education. In order to comply with the government’s decision to move to ‘Plan B’ I would like to bring your attention to the following:

Plan B Asymptomatic Covid Testing

As per the Government’s Plan B announcement, in order to ensure a safe return for all, it has been requested that secondary school students undertake two on-site lateral flow Covid tests. The first test will be carried out of Tuesday, 4^th January and the second in school 3-5 days later.

However, in order to accommodate the Government’s request for Covid testing, we need to implement a slightly staggered return to school.

As a result, please find below the return details of your child’s year group.

Tuesday 4^th January – Entry via the Community Gate

Following testing Year 7 students will be escorted to class and remain at school. As a result, your child will be expected to arrive for their test in their full uniform and will be expected to arrive for their first day of school with all of their equipment.

Wednesday 5^th January – Entrance via the Community Gate

All students to return to school. Students are expected to arrive at school for 8:00am ready for a prompt start at 8:15am. In the meantime, please could I encourage you to continue to test at home.

Face Coverings 

Face coverings should be worn in communal areas by staff, visitors and students in year 7 and above. Please note the school does not provide face coverings, but on the rare occasion a student does forget their mask, there spares available on reception.

Government Announcements

Of course, should the Government move to Plan C, which in turn impacts the return to school in January 2022, the administration team will contact you over the holidays.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we collectively handle the challenges posed by Covid-19.

Kind regards,

Stuart Rees, Principal
One In A Million Free School