UPDATE #3: WEDNESDAY 10th (PARTIAL REOPENING)
Dear students, parents and carers
We are still without heating and hot water in the vast majority of areas in the school site as previously shared. However, we now have electricity and the internet up and running in most areas.
This means that Year 11 will return to Larkmead from Wednesday 10th January.
They will be based in the Arts block for most of their lessons, with some specialist teaching spaces also available.
Core PE lessons will take place as timetabled, Dance, Drama and Music lessons can continue as planned.
Year 13 will attend for their exams only from Thursday 11th January. These exams will take place in the Arts block as the gym remains out of action.
We also intend to invite in those students recognised as ‘vulnerable’, and individual invitations will follow.
Lessons will take place in CR1 and the LRC, with Learning Support also available.
Students should please bring in their own plug in headphones to access online learning.
The canteen will not be in action, so students should please bring in their own packed lunches.
The trips planned for different year groups this week will all go ahead as intended. OCC school transport will be up and running so that students can attend as normal.
All students should wear their normal uniform. Some areas of the school are without heating, and while students will be based in heated blocks their teachers may venture into other specialist spaces for some lessons if that is appropriate and effective. We suggest that students may wish to wear layers, and we will monitor how this goes.
We have had to prioritise exam classes and vulnerable students in the first instance, and remote learning will continue at this time for other years.
Lack of heating is the main barrier to having all students back in school. We now have a heavy duty generator on site to supply electricity, but the underground boiler house was under more than 4 feet of water and this is obviously having a significant impact on these areas of the school. There is a great deal of work taking place to move this forward and we will continue to review our plans as things develop and keep you updated.
Thank you for your patience, adaptability and support. Please do get in contact with the school if you have any questions.
Best wishes
Jonathan Dennett |
Headteacher |