Announcements

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Update on heatwave arrangements for Wednesday and Thursday

As you will be aware, Oxfordshire is experiencing extreme temperatures this week that are due to peak on Wednesday and Thursday of this week where temperatures are reported to ‘feel like’ 42. This is a sustained period of extreme temperature that is made worse by very high night time temperature. Already in school this week we have taken the following measure to adapt our school environment for students and staff:

• Ensured that students have plenty of opportunities to refill water bottles between lessons and at break and lunchtime.

• Installed gazebos on the field to provide shade for students during PE lessons and at lunchtime

• Cancelled electives on Tuesday. 

• Left windows open overnight to cool classrooms as much as possible. 

We have been closely monitoring the temperature of the classrooms over the course of today and have had to take the very difficult decision to adapt the school day on Wednesday and Thursday of this week for all students due to a significant number feeling too hot to successfully work and learn in. 

Shorter days on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th

• 8.28 - 10.40 school will run as normal with hot and cold snacks available as normal at break. 

• 10.40 - 11.35 We will run period 3 lessons immediately after break (instead of tutor time).

• 11.35 - students will be able to make their way home, if families are able to supervise them. 

Optional lunch and in-school homework supervision

We recognise that this early finish may be difficult for some families. Although we will have limited availability, we are able to offer an optional lunch sitting at 11.35 and in-school homework/ revision supervision until 3pm (normal end of the school day).

Please complete this very short google form to indicate if you need your child to remain in school for lunch and homework supervision on Wednesday, Thursday or both days. Please fill out a separate form for each child you have in school.

School work for students on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon

Year 7,8 & 9

Students should complete all of their Sparx - reader, maths and science. They can access independent learning on Sparx Maths and do additional flashcards on Sparx science. We recommend reading at least 30 mins a day of their normal reading book as well - in a shady spot!  Additionally, the revision booklets that we are using in school this week will be available in your child’s google classroom ready for tomorrow afternoon. All students have hard copies of these booklets as well.  

Year 10 & Year 12 Mocks

We are keen to minimise disruption to the mocks. 

Year 10 will complete all scheduled mocks and then leave school after period 4. 

Year 12 will complete all scheduled mocks in the morning. We will write to all year 12 students and parents with an updated plan for the afternoon exams later on this afternoon.

Students should check their google classroom for homework/ revision guidance from their teachers and complete revision work for the mocks they are still to sit. We will reschedule any mocks that we’re unable to hold this week. 

Student Safety

We recommend that students make their way home directly from school in order to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat and would draw your attention to guidance on the dangers of young people playing in open water.

Many thanks for your support with this matter. 

Emily Harris