Weather Warning Arrangements

Dear Parents and Carers,

You will be aware that there is a weather warning in place due to the very high temperatures expected on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On these days, temperatures are expected to reach 36–38 degrees centigrade during the afternoon.

This is problematic for us to manage, as:

• Very few areas in school have air conditioning, so most classrooms will be too hot to work and learn in by the afternoon.
• Caterlink will be unable to provide a lunch service due to the heat in the kitchen, which also does not have air conditioning.
• Government advice is to keep students inside and out of the sun at lunchtime. However, our dining hall and canopy area become too hot to use in extremely hot weather, and we do not have any other large, cool areas to send students to.
• We are concerned about students travelling home at 3pm, when temperatures are expected to reach an extremely high level.

After careful consideration, we have therefore decided to close the school at 12.20pm, at the end of Period 3, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week for Years 7, 8 and 9.

Students who receive a free school meal will be able to collect a packed lunch at breaktime.

Arrangements for Year 10

Due to the forecast high temperatures, we have also changed the Year 10 PPE timetable for Tuesday 23rd, Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th. Please see the revised timetable attached. On Friday 26th June, the exams will run as normal at 8.30am, 11.20am and 1.55pm.

From Tuesday 23rd to Thursday 25th, we would like all students to sit their 8.30am and 11.20am exams and then go home after the end of their 11.20am exam, or with the rest of the school at 12.20pm.

All 1.55pm exams will be rescheduled to 13th July, when students return from work experience. The only exception to this is the History Paper 2 exam, which will be rescheduled to Friday 26th June at 11.20am. Anyone with a History and PE clash at 11.20am can sit PE at 1.55pm on Friday 26th June.

On Monday 13th July, students will sit three exams: GCSE Music Listening, BTEC Health and Social Care, and Food Preparation and Nutrition.

Year 10 PPE Timetable

Year 12 Arrangements

Year 12 will come into school as normal to sit their PPEs, which will all be held in an air-conditioned space.

We advise all students to go straight home when dismissed from school, to stay indoors and out of the sun and heat, and to stay hydrated. Work will be set on Class Charts for students to complete while at home.

To support students in staying cool and safe in the morning and on the journey home:

• Blazers will not be required on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
• Students should bring a refillable water bottle.
• Students may use handheld fans, although not those that spray water.
• Students may wear a sun hat.
• Students should use a high-factor suncream on areas of skin exposed to the sun.

All trips, after-school events and after-school meetings booked for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be cancelled and, where possible, rescheduled for later this term. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

The school day will operate as normal on Friday, from 8.30am to 2.50pm, and from then onwards until the end of term.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do contact us.

Best wishes,

Erika Podmore
Headteacher