Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Covid-19 Ofqual GCSE and A Level GuidanceOfqual have today (03/04/20) set out details on how GCSE and A level grades will be awarded in the summer. Please see below Ofqual GCSE and A level guidance documents for your information. Please bear with us whilst we digest the contents. We will update you further in the coming weeks as more details emerge. Letter to students from Ofqual COVID-19 - Free School Meals Update - Tuesday 1st AprilFree School Meal arrangements from Monday 6th April 2020 Please visit www.brookewestontrust.org/coronavirus for further information. Student Care during COVID-19During the COVID-19 pandemic it is really important that students remain safe. If you have any issues regarding the safety or wellbeing of a student please contact the school using the following email address: safeguarding@brookeweston.org. |
Coronavirus Covid-19 update - School Closure Information (20 March)
Please visit www.brookewestontrust.org/coronavirus for further information about school closures for Brooke Weston Trust schools.
Brooke Weston Trust Statement Regarding School Closure Announcement 18/03/2020
Following the government’s latest announcement, the situation regarding the opening of schools has changed. Please visit www.brookewestontrust.org/coronavirus for full details.
You should only send your child to school on Monday if you have to, because your work is critical to our COVID-19 response. If you are able to keep your child at home, you should. #StayHomeSaveLives
COVID-19 response. If you are able to keep your child at home, you should. #StayHomeSaveLives
Bus Routes Update Letter 25-03-2020
PKI/CAL
25 March 2020
Dear Parent/Carer,
I am writing to you about the Brooke Weston transport and how it will operate over the school closure period.
Due to the school closure and the Government lockdown we have taken the decision to reduce the number of buses we operate each day. We will be reducing from 9 to 2 buses.
The Academy is only open to a very small number of students. Children of key workers and vulnerable students. These student have now been identified and the changes below reflect their transport needs.
The two new routes will be:
Route one
- Stop 1 - Northampton road/before the roundabout. (Formally Green one stop 4) new pickup time 7.40am.
- Stop 2 - Rockingham road opposite Beeswing pub. (Formally Blue four stop 8) new pickup time 7.45am.
- Stop 3 - Welland Vale Road/Ennerdale road. (Formally Yellow one stop six) new pickup time 8am.
Route two.
- Will remain Green three stop one at normal time.
If you have any questions please contact the Academy on enquiries@brookeweston.org
Yours sincerely
Pete Kirkbride
Principal
Residential Cancellation Letter 24-03-2020
Contact: Mrs Waterson
Ref: PKI/SNI
24th March 2020
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I am writing in reference to the Brooke Weston Academy Residential trips 2020. Your child was due to attend one of the residential trips abroad this June. As you are aware, we are currently closed until further notice due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Government has also advised all schools against all foreign travel.
We have taken the advice from the government and made a decision to cancel all of our school residentials this academic year.
We will be refunding all payments that parents have made to date. Refunds will be processed via WisePay in due course.
Please ignore the final two internal payment dates. No further payments should be made to the school for the residential trips.
I would like to thank you for your patience and support throughout the current situation we find ourselves in.
If you have any queries in regards to the refunds please contact Claire Ducker, on finance@brookeweston.org
Yours sincerely 
P Kirkbride
Principal
BWA COVID-19 School Closure Letter 23-03-2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
The last week has been hugely challenging for the whole Brooke Weston Academy community. I am so proud of the incredible hard work of the entire staff team, the resilience of our students and the support we have received from our parents. Despite the current challenges, I know that this will pass and Brooke Weston Academy will be back open, ready to continue to provide an outstanding education to its students.
Brooke Weston Academy closed from Monday 23rd March 2020
As I am sure you aware, yesterday the Government announced that all schools will be closed from Monday 23rd March until further notice.
This means that Brooke Weston Academy will be closed from this date to all students except for the following students:
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Children with Education Health Care Plans, Children who have contact with a Social Worker, e.g. ‘Children in Need’ or those on the Child Protection Register, any Children in Care (LAC) and children of ‘key workers’ (as defined by the Government at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision).
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All other children will need to stay at home and I would ask that you do not send your child to Brooke Weston Academy from Monday onwards.
The principle is that if children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading. The Government is asking parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible – schools will remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at Brooke Weston Academy. However, during such uncertain times and due to school closures, it is important that we ensure parents/carers know who to contact if they are concerned about the welfare or safety of a child.
If you are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs). You can find their contact details on our school website www.brookeweston.org
If you are concerned about the safety or welfare of a child out of school hours please contact the MASH team on 0300 126 1000 (option 1). Alternatively, you can e-mail them on MASH@northamptonshire.gcsx.gov.uk
If you think a child is in immediate danger or missing, you should contact the police and/or an ambulance directly by phoning 999.
Student learning at home
We are committed to our aim that during this period of school closure we will provide the best possible learning opportunities for our students. It is imperative that we keep the school curriculum a part of our students’ day to ensure that there is limited disruption to your child’s learning, allowing them to carry on with their education with us as normal on return.
As a school we have put a comprehensive plan in place to ensure that a rich online curriculum can be delivered by our staff to our students for the duration of the school closure. All lessons and school resources will be made available and delivered to students via the software Microsoft Teams. Teachers and students have had training on the software. More details can be found in the Home Learning guide which is included with this letter. Today, KS3 students have been sent home with hard copies of Maths, English and Science work to complete.
Should you or your child have any queries in regards to Microsoft Teams please view the information on our website under “Students”. Links to the Teams folder are also supplied there along with student instructions: https://www.brookeweston.org/page/?title=Our+Students&pid=16
If you have any questions regarding the curriculum, subjects or work, please contact your teacher in the first instance via email or Teams. However they may be unavailable, so in this instance please contact: CurriculumSupport@brookeweston.org
If you have issues with Teams or Office 365 please contact: ITStudentSupport@brookeweston.org
Please note: IT support cannot resolve issues with hardware or Internet at home.
School Transport
School buses will run as normal for the week commencing Monday 23rd March. Pick up and drop off timings remain the same. Once we have a clear understanding of the number of ‘key worker’ children attending the Academy we will make decisions about this transport and communicate this to you.
Year 11 and 13
This is an especially difficult time for our Year 11 and 13 students. The Government has announced that exams are not taking place during the usual examination period. Whilst we are awaiting the final guidance, they have been clear that students will get the qualifications they need to progress to both further and higher education. I have met with each of these year groups to provide reassurance and as soon as we have more information, we will communicate this to you. It goes without saying that we will do the very best that we can to support our Year 11 and 13 students during this uncertain time.
To be clear this applies to all examinations, including any due in Year 10 or Year 12.
Students who are in school
Students, who meet the Government criteria to be in the Academy, can attend as normal. They should be in school for 8.35am and the school day will finish at 4.05pm.
School buses will leave at 4.15pm daily and parents who collect their children should do so from 4.05pm promptly. There is no staying on after this time and there will be no after school clubs or activities.
Students do not have to be in school uniform, but should be dressed in smart casual that would meet our usual expectations for a non-uniform day. Students are to bring their school ID cards.
School meals will be available as usual.
Free School Meals
School meals will be provided to all students who are eligible for Free School Meals.
All Free School Meal students who are attending school because they are children of key workers or Children with Education Health Care Plans, Children who have contact with a Social Worker, e.g. ‘Children in Need’ or those on the Child Protection Register and any Children in Care (LAC) will have meals in school as normal.
Any Free School Meal students who are not in school, but whose parents would like to collect a packed lunch from school, will be able to do so from the Academy from 11AM pm daily, Monday to Friday.
The Government has suggested that they will be putting an alternative solution for Free School Meals in place shortly and we will communicate with you again once we know more.
Contact moving forward
The Brooke Weston Academy website is now a critical communication tool and I would ask that you check it daily for updates. The website is at https://www.brookeweston.org
We are in a very fast moving situation and information can change daily. When we have updates, we will add information to the website. We will continue to use texts to keep you updated.
Coronavirus
Please also keep updated on the Government information regarding Coronavirus on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public.
Conclusion
I want to finish by thanking you again for your fantastic support to both myself and the staff team over this time. I have received so many lovely comments from parents and they have made a real difference over this very busy week! I need to pay tribute to my amazing staff, both teaching and support, who came back from holiday on Monday and through herculean efforts have allowed us to stay open and be prepared to continue to educate our students at home going forward.
Please look after yourselves and your families during this uncertain time and we are looking forward to seeing all of our students back in Brooke Weston Academy as soon as is possible.
Yours sincerely
Pete Kirkbride
Principal
Useful Links and Information
As a Trust, we know parents are having to make difficult decisions regarding isolating children and families as a result of Covid-19. Please be assured we will authorise all such absences. Unfortunately Trust colleagues are unable to provide advice on on whether to isolate your child from school and it can only be a decision that parents can make for their own family. To assist parents, please see below links for further guidance:
Public Health England (PHE)- https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
PHE Guidance on Social Distancing - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults
NHS Guidance for Coronavirus - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Department for Education - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
The Department for Education has also launched a helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and students can contact the helpline as above.
19 March 2020 - Children of Keyworkers
Dear Parent/Carer
The government announced on Wednesday 18th March 2020 that all schools in the UK are to be closed to students, with the exception of children of 'key workers' and vulnerable children as defined by the government. There should be clarity from the Department of Education over their precise definition of ‘vulnerable’ later today.
In the meantime we need to get an accurate idea of the number of children we educate who are the ‘children of key workers’ as defined by the government – the Cabinet Office is due to confirm this later today. It would help our hard pressed staff enormously if you could complete this short questionnaire by today (Thursday 19th March) at 5.00pm so we can work on having have the right resources to stay open. It is our expectation key workers will be required to verify their identity and occupation in some way by the government to ensure only children of those covered by the definition are in school.
Please click this link to access the questionnaire https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/covid19_keyworkers
Thank you for your co-operation. A quick response is much appreciated.
Kind regards
P Kirkbride
Principal
18 March 2020 - Letter from the Brooke Weston Trust CEO for parents and carers
Click here to view CEO letter for parents and carers.
To access all previous communications relating to the Coronavirus and for further links and information please click here.
18 March 2020 - Important CCF announcement
In line with recent Government direction on the Covid-19 pandemic, all Army Cadet activity is to be suspended with immediate effect.
Any face-to-face Army Cadet activities (including either cadets or CFAVs, and CTT support to CCF contingents) are to be cancelled or postponed with effect immediately.
This encompasses all activity out to 30 April 20, including detachment evenings, residential weekends and camps, visits, sport, music, DofE and AT.
Planning for cadet activities during May - August should continue, and a decision will be taken in late April with regard future activity and further direction given when the ongoing situation is more clear.
Further updates will be issued in due course.
18 March 2020 - Careers Fair cancelled
Following yesterday’s latest Government advice that ‘everyone should avoid gatherings and crowded places’, and our increasing concern for the health and wellbeing of exhibitors, parents and students, we have regrettably made the decision to cancel next week’s Brooke Weston Careers Fair on March 24th.
We will of course be in contact to reschedule this event once it is safe to do so.
17 March 2020
Dear Parents and Carers
Yesterday (March 16th 2020) the government reviewed its response to the Covid-19 virus and introduced a series of significant measures to achieve greater social distancing, reduce all but essential travel and protect the most vulnerable groups in society.
While they confirmed new measures have now been put in place, the government once again stated that:
- UK schools should remain open and continue to operate as normally as possible at this time
Our Brooke Weston Trust schools will continue to follow the government’s advice and will remain open until we are advised otherwise.
At present there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 at any of our Brooke Weston Trust schools.
Please ensure you keep familiar with the detail of the most up to date Public Health England advice which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public.
We will continue to update you on the situation as new announcements are made by the government and want to reassure you that each school’s leadership team and the Brooke Weston Trust are preparing for all possible scenarios as best we can.
Home learning
We have various online platforms, non-digital resources and guidance to support learning that can be used to provide work to children at home. As you would expect, we are drawing up plans should home learning become necessary. We will explain what is on offer and how to access it at that time.
Domestic trips, school events and sports fixtures
School events are being assessed on a case-by-case basis. You will be kept informed of any changes to published events in the school calendar with as much notice as is possible. Please note that all sports fixtures have now been cancelled.
Advice for all visitors to our school
We have reinforced some basic hygiene principles and introduced additional measures, so please do not take offence if you are asked to wash your hands or use hand sanitizing gel on visiting us. We would also remind visitors of the hygiene message, “catch it, bin it, kill it” in the event of coughing and sneezing. These restrictions are in place to protect our school community.
We are aware parents are having to make difficult decisions regarding isolating their children and all siblings. Please be assured we will authorise all such absences.
To read our previously published information regarding Covid-19 please click here.
This is an extraordinary period of time for everyone, including schools. We will inevitably experience significant disruption to our normal routines, but we are doing everything we can to continue. I want to thank you again for your patience and understanding in helping to keep our school communities as safe as possible.
Dr Andrew Campbell
CEO
Brooke Weston Trust
13 March 2020
Dear Parents and Carers
You may be aware that the government met yesterday to review its response to the Covid-19 virus.
While they confirmed new measures have now been put in place, most importantly the government confirmed that:
- UK schools should remain open and continue to operate normally at this time
Brooke Weston Academy will continue to follow the government’s advice and will remain open until we are advised otherwise.
At present there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 at any of our Brooke Weston Trust schools.
Please ensure you are familiar with the detail of the most up to date Public Health England advice which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
Families who may recently have travelled abroad should make absolutely certain they are following the Public Health England guidance for returning travellers.
The government did announce an additional measure for schools that means:
- School trips abroad will not be permitted
As we have several overseas trips planned, we will be liaising with travel companies in the next few days and will then communicate separately to all those who have signed up for trips later this year.
We will continue to update you on the situation as new announcements are made by the government and want to reassure you that the school’s leadership team and the Brooke Weston Trust are preparing for all possible scenarios:
Home learning
We have various online platforms, non-digital resources and guidance to support learning that can be used to provide work to children at home. As you would expect, we are drawing up plans should home learning become necessary. We will explain what is on offer and how to access it at that time.
Domestic trips, school events and sports fixtures
All domestic trips and school events will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. You will be kept informed of any changes to published events in the school calendar with as much notice as is possible. Public Health England have not yet advised us to cancel sports fixtures, but in accordance with their advice on hand washing, all players, coaching staff and supporters should expect to be asked to wash their hands or use hand sanitizing gel on arrival and after their fixture.
Advice for all visitors to our school
We have reinforced some basic hygiene principles and introduced additional measures, so please do not take offence if you are asked to wash your hands or use hand sanitizing gel on visiting us. We would also remind visitors of the hygiene message, “catch it, bin it, kill it” in the event of coughing and sneezing. These restrictions are in place to protect our school community.
The latest advice requires anyone who has flu-like symptoms, a cough, breathlessness or a raised temperature above 37.8 degrees Celsius to stay at home and self-isolate for a week.
For previous Coronavirus information we have published please click here.
This is an extraordinary period of time for everyone, including schools, and I want to thank you for you continued patience and understanding in helping to keep our school community as safe as possible.
Yours faithfully
Pete Kirkbride.
12 March 2020
Brooke Weston Trust schools are monitoring the current situation regarding Covid-19 contingency planning carefully and seeking advice from relevant authorities.
Further information will be published tomorrow in light of any decisions taken by Government this afternoon. All further communications will be published via our school websites.
5 March 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
We continue to monitor and follow the advice of Public Health England in relation to the COVID-19 virus. Personal hygiene continues to be promoted as the most important way we can tackle COVID-19, especially washing hands more. We will continue to promote this in school. Please can you discuss the importance of this with your child at home to encourage thorough and frequent hand washing to help prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses.
There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Washing your hands often - with soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport.
- Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin. See Catch it, Bin it, Kill it
- Pupils, students, staff and visitors should wash their hands:
- before leaving home
- on arrival at school
- after using the toilet
- at breaks and after sporting activities
- before food preparation
- before eating any food, including snacks
- before leaving school
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
Thank you for continuing to work with us to safeguard the health of our communities.
26 February 2020
Dear Parents/Carers,
Please be reassured that our school is following the guidance set out by Public Health England (PHE) regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19). We strongly recommend that all parents/carers and students familiarise themselves with the guidance. We have instructed all our staff to do likewise. Our aim is that all members of our school communities are well informed and aware how to slow the spread of germs.
The government stance remains that you should not be unduly worried about the possibility of your children catching Coronavirus. There is no reason why your children should not continue to attend their school as normal. However we would particularly urge you to read the Government advice regarding travellers returning to the UK.
Latest Public Health England Guidance
The latest guidance from Public Health England can be accessed through this link (click here).
Latest NHS information
The latest NHS information about how you can reduce the possible spread of infection can be found below, please check regularly for updates:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Brooke Weston Trust will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any further advice that is released to schools. We understand you may have questions or concerns at this time, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish. Thank you for working with us to safeguard the health of our communities.
Best wishes
Pete Kirkbride, Principal.
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