15^th July 2021
head@hattonacademy.org.uk

Dear Parents/Carers,

We hope this letter finds you and your family well. We would like to take this opportunity to update you on key information in relation to the start of the new academic year.

Firstly, we would like to put on record our sincere gratitude to all parents and carers who have continued to support the academy. We are both parents to young children and fully understand the pressures that you have all faced this year. We are also sure you will join us both in thanking the amazing staff here at the academy for their continued dedication and commitment.

Over the last term we have been impressed by the engagement and attitude shown by all of our students as they have started on their journey to overcome any lost learning as a result of the pandemic. It fills us with immense pride to witness so many of our students starting to engage in activities beyond their normal academic lessons, including most recently the sports day events.

We are both looking forward to the next academic year and the opportunities that this will bring for all of our students. This includes an array of trips, lunchtime and after school activities, our HBACC character development program and a number of opportunities to represent the academy at local, regional, and national events. We have recently been blown away by the record number of students that have already auditioned for next year's school production Bugsy Malone.

As your Co-Principals we remain committed to ensuring your child receives an enriching and all-encompassing educational experience at Hatton, we value parental views and if you have any feedback on how we can continue to improve your child's learning experiences please email us both at head@hattonacademy.org.uk.

We ask that you read the essential information below in relation to the arrangements for the return of all pupils in September

Arrangements for September

• For the continued safety of our school community, we request that all students attend the academy for a Covid lateral flow test before starting on site learning (see detail below).
• Year 7’s first full day of teaching will be on Friday 3^rd September from 8:30am
• All other year groups will return to the academy on Monday 6th September at 8:30am
• The school day for all students will start at 8.30am and finish at 3.00pm
• We will only have one access point for all entry to the academy. This will be through the main gate off the The Pyghtle.
• At the end of the day the academy will have two exit points: Cedar Way and the main gate at the front of the academy.

Testing Arrangements

Thank you for your continued engagement in the Covid-19 testing programme.

The asymptomatic testing programme is being paused for students in secondary schools and colleges that will be closed over the summer holidays. If you or your child are not attending a setting over the summer but wish to access rapid lateral flow testing, you can continue to do so by ordering LFD test kits from GOV.UK or by collecting kits from your local pharmacy.

If your child is transitioning to new educational settings, they should start testing on arrival at their new setting in the autumn.

We are unsure about the Covid situation we will face in the autumn, so we want to be prepared for all scenarios. Subject to public health advice, testing is likely to return in the autumn. If we have Covid testing consent for your child we will be offering them two tests on-site in September before continuing regular testing at home.

Please find the testing schedule below for the first of two on-site tests:

This is the most effective way to reduce the risk of transmission and support the continuation of face-to-face education. The government will continue to review the future need for testing in light of any changes to the public health situation.

Testing Consent

It is a government requirement for consent to be provided by a parent for students in Years 7 to 11 for them to be tested in school. Years 12 and 13 may provide their own consent. If your child is joining us in September or you have not previously provided consent and you would like to, please complete the consent form, which may be accessed here.

Twice Weekly Testing - Autumn Term
Once we return in September and the two on-site tests have been completed, we will be returning to twice weekly testing. Students will be asked to carry out their lateral flow test every Sunday and Wednesday.

You must report your child’s test results, even if their result is negative or void. Go to report a COVID-19 lateral flow test result or call 119 free from a mobile or landline. Lines are open every day, 7am to 11pm. Support is offered in 200 languages as well as British Sign Language.

If your child receives a positive test inform head@hattonacademy.org.uk immediately.

Testing twice weekly is helping us stay ahead of the virus by spotting new outbreaks quickly and plan our response. The preparations that schools and colleges are advised to take are subject to further public health advice and the latest position on prevalence of the COVID-19 virus.