Our school motto guides us to ‘learn to love’ all people made in equal in the image and likeness of God. We follow the commands of God, which are to be loving, peaceful and tolerant.

On Tuesday 6th July, the Secretary of State for Education provided an update regarding school provision for young people for September. In summary, the following information was shared:

· Children should not face greater restrictions over and above adults and the wider society.

· From the 16th August, children should only isolate if they have tested positive for Covid19. If children have been identified as a ‘close contact’ of someone who has tested positive, they will not be required to isolate but will be ‘advised’ to take a PCR test by NHS Track and Trace.

· From September: Staff and pupils are still expected to remain off from school if they are displaying main Covid symptoms and are advised to book a PCR test.

· From September: The use of ‘bubbles’ is to end in all education settings.

· From September: Responsibility for contact tracing to be deferred to NHS Track and Trace and not schools.

· From September: There is no requirement for staggered start and end times for pupils.

· From September: Face coverings are not expected to be worn in school by pupils or staff.

· From September: There are no requirements regarding Social Distancing both indoors and outdoors.

· From September: Schools are encouraged to maintain established and strong practices regarding ventilation and hygiene. (School to reflect on this. There are a number of strong practices that we can bring forward into the new academic year).

· From September: Secondary Schools are expected to administer two on site tests for all pupils returning to school.

· Regular and frequent home testing should continue until the end of September.

· If there are concerning local outbreaks on a mass scale, previous measures could be reintroduced. This to be determined at a Local Government Level in first instance.

Holy Trinity cautiously welcomes a return to more aspects of education that we have been familiar with pre-pandemic. From September, the school day will return to 8.40am – 3.00pm for all pupils.

A reminder of some key dates and information:

All youngsters should have now received their full end of year written report.

Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd September: INSET days for teachers and staff only.

Monday 6th September: Pupils in Year 7 and Year 11 only will complete a Covid test in school and then return home.

Tuesday 7th September: Pupils in Year 7 and Year 11 resume their learning. Pupils in Year 8 and Year 9 will complete a Covid test in school and then return home.

Wednesday 8th September: Pupils in Year 8 and Year 9 resume their learning. Pupils in Year 10 will complete a Covid test in school and then return home.

Thursday 9th September: Pupils in Year 10 resume their learning.

During the following days, an additional Covid test will then take place for all youngsters in the school day.

I am delighted to confirm that ‘Summer School’ for new Year 7 pupils and children in our current Year 7 who would most benefit from this extra provision will be taking place from Wednesday 21st July – Friday 30th July. An information flyer that has been emailed regarding booking a place for this provision. Please email this address ccorrigan@holytrc.bham.sch.uk to reserve your place and we are reminded that this provision is free to families and fully funded by Government and school.

Please look out for further information via text message, pupil email, ‘Microsoft Teams’ messages, updates to this website, or letters posted to your homes.

Thank you for your continued support. With every best wish for a good summer break.

Mr Crehan