Switch to online learning from Tuesday 19 to Thursday 21st October 2021 inclusive

18th October 2021

As you may know, our school staff, including me, have been hit with Covid over the last few days. This morning we have 3 out of 4 Senior leaders off , some other teaching staff, the Safeguarding Leader and some support staff. Therefore, I have been in touch with North Yorkshire Local authority and our Chair of Governors- Rev Stephen Hanscombe and made the decision that the school will close from 4pm today MONDAY 18 October and we will revert to online learning for the last 3 days of this half term. All teaching staff will set work remotely via Google classrooms for Tues 19- Thurs 21 October. Staff will be available via email or the google chat function, during the lesson hour for students to contact and ask any questions about the work set. For any students struggling with connectivity or technology Years 8-9 have KS 3 work books and KS 4 have GCSE revision guides in most subjects. Year 7s have not yet been issued with KS 3 workbooks, so just do whatever is manageable. Where possible any enrichment sessions will also have some online work set – but this will be as appropriate and where feasible to do so. I appreciate this is not ideal and am frustrated that we have maintained school operations for almost the whole Covid pandemic.


The main reason for this decision, which I have not taken lightly, is staffing levels particularly at break and lunchtimes, as supervision of students and keeping your children safe is always our number one priority. It also makes sense to have a natural 13 days break to allow those with Covid to recover fully and break any possible transmission. Thankfully the number of  students off with Covid remains low, however as a school we do have over 8% absent with illness including the very bad cold/flu that is in our community.


I would like to take this opportunity to thank you in advance for your continued support.
As ever, please do get in touch if you have any questions or concerns.


Kind regards and stay safe over half term.

Julia Polley

Headteacher

The Wensleydale School and Sixth Form