I hope that you share my positivity for the way in which your children have worked so hard to integrate back into the Hazeley community, either returning from six months of largely studying at home or as a new student who joined us in September.  It was always going to be a challenge connecting whilst also having in place the control measures such as face coverings, learning bubbles and social distancing; especially for some of our children with additional needs. Your children are a credit to you and their community. 

As you know the prevalence of Covid-19 in the local area is on the rise and we always said that if/ when this occurred, we would proportionally step up our response and tighten control measures, whilst always trying to find the best possible balance. We aim to create an environment that is both physically and emotionally safe.  

With this in mind, we would appreciate your support making a few changes, taking a few actions and underlining a few procedures: 

Face Coverings 

From Monday 28^th September face coverings will become mandatory in all corridors and social areas for all staff and students who are not exempt on health grounds. Students can remove coverings outside, in classrooms, inside the canteen and 6^th form study areas. This will only be a small change as already the overwhelming majority of our community have responded brilliantly to our strong encouragement. I hope that we can rely on your support either making sure that your child brings to school, and correctly wears a suitable covering, or has an exemption note from a health professional. Please drop Mr Mortimer an email if you have a question relating to this - omortimer@thehazeleyacademy.com . As always, we wish to work with you and avoid any confrontation at a time when our community most needs unity. 

Covid-19 Hotline 

The sooner we receive confirmation of a positive test result the more effectively we can respond. We now have a dedicated Covid-19 positive test phone number - 07387064221. Please help us by not using this for any other reason. Please leave a message or text if the line is not immediately picked up and also send an email to twhiteman@thehazeleyacademy.com and swhitney@thehazeleyacademy.com clearly stating the name of the child and your contact details.

Minimising Close Contacts 

We are going to implement discussions in lessons encouraging students and staff to reflect on what is currently defined as a “close contact” and how they can minimise their number of contacts over a week - both inside and outside of school. It is important to ensure students have as rich and enjoyable life as possible whilst maintaining their safety and that of their community. The link to the Government guidance can be found here - Guidance on close contacts . This may be something you wish to reflect on with your child/ren at home too. 

NHS Covid-19 App

We intend to encourage staff, students over 16 and members of our community to engage with the NHS COVID-19 app. More details will follow. 

Home Learning 

We will continue to do all we can to keep building on the learning and pastoral experience for all of our students who have to self-isolate. We will also be spending time preparing in case we have to respond to larger closures. Please look out for information from Mrs Williamson and the rest of her team. 

Communication 

We will continue to do all we can to keep you quickly and fully informed. We recognise that in doing this we are sometimes at risk of overloading you. To help resolve this we will be doing our best to keep things as clear and concise as possible and contacting you once we have enacted all our policies and procedures, in line with Government guidance.

It is a delight to engage with so many of you on the Facebook Parent Portal. Please remember if you have a complex or difficult question then call reception (during normal school hours) or send us an email enquiries@thehazeleyacademy.com and we will always try and respond to you as quickly and fully as possible. 

Public Health England have produced a letter for schools to circulate to parents – please see attached or via the following link - NHS Test & Trace.

If you have an urgent concern regarding your child outside of the normal school day, please email worried@thehazeleyacademy.com .

I know that I speak for all of the staff at Hazeley when I say we feel privileged to be working with you all as parents through this tricky time. 

As always, we are one hundred percent committed to doing all we can to use this challenge to pull us closer together as a community to allow your children to become the very best versions of themselves. 

We will never offer you perfection, but we will always try to do things better with the support of you and your children.  

Kind regards 

Mr Nelson 

Principal