Important Update for Friday 26th June – Please Read

Dear Parents and Carers,

Firstly, we would like to thank you for your understanding, flexibility and support over what has been an exceptionally challenging week. We fully appreciate the disruption that the school closure has caused for many families and are grateful for the patience and support shown by our community.

At this stage, all Year 7, Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 students are expected to attend school tomorrow as normal. We are planning for the school day to proceed as usual. However, as weather forecasts can change, we need families to be aware of the possible scenarios below and make contingency plans should arrangements need to change at short notice. We will continue to monitor the latest advice from the Met Office, the UK Health Security Agency and the Department for Education and will communicate any changes to families as quickly as possible. The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff will remain our highest priority.

As always, we need to be prepared to adapt our plans should there be any concerns regarding the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the Met Office changes the current weather warning, please be aware of the following scenarios:

1. School Open as Normal

If there are no Amber or Red weather warnings in place, school will open and operate as normal. This is the scenario we are currently planning for and asking families to prepare for.

2. Amber Warning in Place

If an Amber Warning is issued, school will open as normal in the morning but may finish early, at approximately 12:30pm, to avoid students and staff being in classrooms during the hottest part of the day. For our most vulnerable students, or for families who are unable to make arrangements for an earlier collection, we will continue to supervise students safely in school until the normal end of the school day.

3. Red Warning in Place

If a Red Warning is issued, the school will be closed. We will communicate this decision to families as soon as possible should it become necessary.

We are therefore asking families to plan on the basis that school will be open tomorrow, whilst also being prepared for either Scenario 2 or Scenario 3 should updated weather guidance require us to change our arrangements. We understand that this uncertainty can be difficult, particularly where work and childcare arrangements are concerned, and we will provide as much notice as possible should any changes be required.

Please ensure that your child is prepared for the warm weather. Students should:

• Bring a named water bottle that can be refilled throughout the day.
• Wear PE kit 
• Bring a hat and sunscreen if appropriate.

We have also made a number of adaptations to the school day to help keep students safe and comfortable in the warm weather, including:

• Re-rooming classes that would ordinarily be taught in some of our warmer classrooms on the upper floors into cooler teaching spaces where possible.
• Ensuring water refill stations are staffed during break and lunchtime to encourage students to stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Allowing students to go directly to tutor time on arrival rather than lining up outside.
• Adapting PE lessons so that students are not undertaking physical activity in the heat and are instead completing appropriate alternative activities.

These measures are designed to minimise students' exposure to the hottest conditions and support their wellbeing throughout the school day.

Please continue to check Arbor, email communications and the school website for any further updates.

Thank you once again for your continued support, understanding and partnership during what has been a highly unusual week. We look forward to welcoming all students back to school tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Kingdown School