P16 Update: Masks and Key Dates
Dear Parents/Carers
Today’s email contains a lot of useful information, so apologies if it is long! Please read on for information on mask wearing from Monday, supporting your son/daughter to cope with TAG anxiety, a Careers Bulletin jam-packed with information to support your son/daughter and a reminder of key dates for the remainder of the Academic Year.
Key Dates
27th May: all formal assessments finish
June 7th-17th: Transition Workshops to support Year 13 students moving on to next steps
17th June: Last day in school for Year 13, with Leavers Assembly in the afternoon and Leavers’ Party in the evening (more information to follow)
18th June: Teacher Assess Grades sent to exam boards
16th July: Last day of teaching for Year 12
19th-21st July: Year 12 Work Experience
10th August: Results Day
Face Masks
From May 17, new guidance will come into effect for schools, in line with the Government’s Covid-19 roadmap.
Post 16 students will no longer be required to wear face coverings in classrooms or communal areas. However, if possible, we would like students to continue to bring a face covering to school as before, as there may be moments where they will be required to have conversations with staff where social distancing cannot be observed. While the government no longer recommends the wearing of face coverings in the classroom, students may choose to wear them at any time during the day if they feel more comfortable doing so. Staff will also no longer be required to wear face coverings in classrooms. Staff and visitors will continue to wear masks outside the classroom in areas where social distancing is not possible (such as corridors and communal areas).
Students joining in extra-curricular activities such as sport, basketball and badminton will continue not to require a mask when exercising.
All of our current Health and Safety measures will remain in place from May 17 as follows:
- Continue to follow guidance to test and self-isolate if you display symptoms and do not attend school;
- Ensure face coverings are used in recommended circumstances;
- Clean hands thoroughly and more often than usual;
- Follow the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ approach;
- We will maintain enhanced cleaning, including cleaning frequently touched surfaces often;
- Maintain social distancing wherever possible and bubbles will continue;
- Occupied spaces will continue to be well ventilated;
TAG anxiety
We appreciate and understand that assessment can cause anxiety and we want to reassure you that we are working closely with our students to ensure they understand the process and are confident their results will be fairly awarded.
As you know, this year the government has said that many exams and assessments cannot be held fairly as a result of the disruption students have faced due to the pandemic. Teachers will instead submit grades to the exam boards, based on their assessment of what students have shown they know and can do.
This guide from the government outlines the arrangements in place for awarding grades in summer 2021, and where students can go for additional information.
If your son/daughter is experiencing anxiety, there are many practical strategies suggested by the Young Minds charity that may help you to support them at home.
Remember that everyone is different, and that over time you and your child can work together to find the things that work best for them if they are experiencing anxiety.
Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, which regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England, has produced a blog specifically for students who may be worried about TAG and their results. You can read the blog here. Information about the fairness and flexibility that is at the heart of TAG can be read here.
Most importantly, keep talking to your child about how they are feeling – and encourage your child to talk to their teachers about any concerns they may have.
If you have any concerns about your child or the TAG process at Post 16, please contact us as soon as possible at [email protected].
Careers Bulletin
Preparing for their next steps remains key for your son/daughter during these exceptional times. Please find attached a Careers Bulletin packed with information that will support with this.
Thank you as always for your support for your son/daughter and for us as a community.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on [email protected].
Warm regards,
The Post 16 team
