I hope you are well and coping with the current situation. It is vitally important that we all follow the Government’s guidelines to protect our NHS and reduce the amount of time we need to stay in lockdown. The advice is:

Stay at home

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home
• Do not meet others, even friends or family. You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.

Please refer to the information at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

We are anticipating an announcement from the Department for Education and Ofqual tomorrow about the mechanism for the awarding of grades for A level, GCSE and BTEC at both level two and three. We will circulate this information once we have it and will begin to work in accordance with the guidelines to provide the information requested to the examination boards. Whilst we understand the anxiety felt by students and their families about grading, please do not contact teachers nor tutors about grades; they will be working hard to meet the new requirements to make sure that the system is implemented fairly and according to the rules. We are unable respond to any communication about grades.Thank you for your support in this matter.

We have been asked to share information about a central telephone line which has been set up for Tameside residents who require support at this time. This may be because they are self-isolating or they feel vulnerable due to having no local support networks (family and friends). The telephone number is 0161 342 8355. Operating times are Monday to Wednesday 8.30am – 5.00pm, Thursday 8.30am – 4.30pm and Friday 8.30am – 4.00pm. A dedicated e mail address has also been established which Tameside residents can use to contact us. The e mail address is covid-19@tameside.gov.uk.

Could you please pass on our thanks to those students who successfully completed and submitted their EPQ today? We will begin to assess these over the next few weeks. Unfortunately, as with all coursework, we will not be able to share grades with students; it is likely that projects will be externally moderated and grades can change through this process. On behalf of the EPQ team, thank you to your sons/ daughters for some brilliant work and some inspirational presentations. Well done!

That’s it for today.  

Take care, look after yourself, your families and each other; be patient and stay positive.

Anton

Principal