Start of Term Announcement

Dear Parents/Carers,

Following the announcement from the government on 30th December, Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School will remain closed to the vast majority of pupils for the first week of the new term. This is a decision made by the government and we will be following guidance from the Department for Education as the situation unfolds. I think most of you will already be aware of rising infection rates across the country and that Birmingham is now under tier 4 restrictions, along with most of the Midlands.

At present, the plan is for Y11 and Y13 pupils to return on Monday 11th January, with all other year groups returning on Monday 18th January. However, this is being kept under review as the government monitors the pandemic.

External examinations scheduled for January are still, to the best of our knowledge, going ahead as planned and staff will be in contact with those pupils who are affected early next week to confirm arrangements.

If you are a key worker and need to send your child to school, please contact us via the enquiry email address: enquiry@ilsley.bham.sch.uk. You will need to provide proof of key worker status. Pupils who fall into this category should return to school on Monday 4th January at normal time and in full school uniform. There are other pupils who will be invited to return to school next week but these pupils will be contacted separately.

All other pupils should remain at home and must access their learning through Google Classroom. If your child is unable to access work online, please telephone us when school reopens on Monday 4th January.

At present we have not received any information on provision for free school meals for pupils who are working from home but we will update you as soon as we know more.

I am sorry for the short notice but as we are all aware, the situation with the pandemic is developing quite rapidly and we are duty bound to follow the guidance from the government. I will write to you again next week when we have more information to share with you but for now, please stay safe and we hope to see your children in school again as soon as possible.

May I wish everyone a happy new year

God Bless

Miss Burrows