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LCA Virtual Open Evening
After watching our Open Evening video go to our Year 6 Information page by clicking here
Please click buttons below to view our information for September 2020:
Please click on links below for information:
Letters to Students & Parents
16th October 2020
Autumn Term (4)
Dear Parents/ Carers,
Whilst this has been a half term like no other, I am genuinely delighted to reflect on a successful return to a full school. Attendance has been excellent, behaviour good and students have returned with focus and enthusiasm. We have been delighted by the calm positive response of our students.
The academy is now closed and will reopen to all students on Monday 2nd November.
A considerable amount of work will be taking place on our school site over the 2 week break to enhance our facilities. I look forward to sharing these improvements with you.
Today’s lessons have included reminders to all students about the measures required to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including the importance of the ‘Hands. Face. Space’ message. We have stressed the importance of following these safety measures outside of school during holiday time for the benefit of our entire community.
I wish you and your family a safe restorative break.
Kind regards,
Mrs L. Laming
Headteacher
9th October 2020
Information for All Parents
Dear Parent/ Carer,
This morning we were informed of a second confirmed case of Covid-19 within Year 7. As this second case fell just within the 14-day period following the first case, we have taken the most cautious approach to minimise risk to all. Year 7 students will remain at home for 14 days until they return to school on Monday 2nd November for the new half term.
Students in all year groups have been informed of this development by staff in order to ensure they are reassured that adults are working together to take calm sensible precautions. All other year groups can attend school as usual. A deep clean of the Year 7 base and anti-viral fogging has taken place.
Year 7 Students already self-isolating (as requested by LCA)
A small number of Year 7 students have already been self-isolating from Tuesday 29th September as a precautionary measure. If your child is one of those children currently at home and they are feeling well and showing no symptoms at the end of the 14-day period of self-isolation, they can return to usual activities, including returning to school on Monday 12th October.
Further Guidance
Your child does not need to be tested unless they become symptomatic and your household does not need to self-isolate unless they develop symptoms. We are asking you to support these preventative measures to reduce the further spread of COVID 19 to others in the community.
Further guidance for those who have been identified as a close contact of someone with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19), can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person
The attached guidance provides important information on the symptoms of Covid-19, how to prevent the spread and what do if your child develops symptoms. For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
Thank you for your understanding and support at this time.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Louise Laming
Headteacher
Urgent: Required Collection of Year 7 Students from 11.30am, Friday 9th October 2020
9th October 2020
Requirement for your child to self-isolate for 14 days
Dear Parent/ Carer,
I am writing to you as this morning we have been informed of a second confirmed case of Covid-19 within Year 7. As this second case falls just within the 14-day period following the first case, we are taking the most cautious approach to minimise risk to all. All Year 7 students are required to remain at home for 14 days until they return to school on Monday 2nd November for the new half term.
Parents of Year 7 children currently in school should make arrangements to collect their child via the main entrance as soon as possible. Please telephone: 01522 529203 if you intend to make alternative arrangements. We can only allow students to leave the school site once arrangements have been confirmed.
In the meantime, I will be speaking to all Year 7 students during break time this morning to reassure them before they depart. These are challenging times for all of us, but it is of paramount importance that our students do not feel alarmed and understand that adults are working together to take calm sensible precautions.
Year 7 Students already self-isolating (as requested by LCA)
A small number of Year 7 students have already been self-isolating from Tuesday 29th September as a precautionary measure. If your child is one of those currently at home and is feeling well and showing no symptoms at the end of the 14-day period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities, including returning to school on Monday 12th October.
Further Guidance
Your child does not need to be tested unless they become symptomatic and your household does not need to self-isolate unless the contact (your child) gets symptoms. Siblings can continue to attend school throughout this period. We are asking you to support these preventative measures to reduce the further spread of COVID 19 to others in the community.
During the period of term time isolation, we will provide remote learning for students via ‘ShowMyHomework’; further information will follow shortly.
Further guidance for those who have been identified as a close contact of someone with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19), but do not live with that person, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person
The attached guidance provides important information on the symptoms of Covid-19, how to prevent the spread and what do if your child develops symptoms. For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
Thank you for your understanding and support at this time.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Louise Laming
Headteacher
Autumn Term (3)
9th October 2020
Dear Parents & Carers,
We have reviewed the arrangements we put in place in September and are now able to make a few small adjustments to enhance students’ time in school. From Monday 12th October, there are small adjustments to the start and end time for certain year groups:
| Arrive | Depart | |||
| Year 7 | 8.30 | No change | 3pm | No change |
| Year 8 | 8.40 | 5 minutes earlier | 2.40pm | 10 minutes later |
| Year 9 | 8.50 | 10 minutes earlier | 2.50pm | 5 minutes later |
| Year 10 | 8.40 | 5 minutes earlier | 2.50pm | 5 minutes later |
| Year 11 | 8.30 | No change | 3pm | No change |
| Year 12/13 | 8.30 | No change | 3pm | No change |
These changes, although small, amount to additional teaching time over the course of a week whilst maintaining our staggered arrival and departure times. These control measures ensure year groups remain separate and help to reduce congestion and mixing on the journey to and from school.
A number of other changes will be communicated to your child during tutor time on Monday. These include:
- Small adjustments to the duration of lessons to ensure they are evenly distributed
- The launch of a programme of enrichment activities and after-school clubs
We will continue to work to refine our arrangements, ensuring students benefit from a safe environment, minimising risk whilst maximising your child’s learning. As always, thank you for your collective support and positivity.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Laming
Headteacher
29th September 2020
Dear Parent,
I am writing to you to because one student has tested positive for Covid-19. As a result, and following the advice of our Local Health Protection Team, a small number of Year 7 children will remain at home for a duration of 14 days.
We have been advised that we do not need to send the entire year group bubble home because of the control measures we have in place. As a precautionary measure, children who have been seated on neighbouring desks in lessons, close friends of the individual and siblings have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days since the last contact.
The parents of all children required to self-isolate have been contacted by telephone and letter.
Although your child should attend school as normal, I am writing to all parents in order to be transparent and open about the situation. We have undertaken a thorough process to minimise risks for students and staff, including a deep clean of the Year 7 base along with anti-viral fogging.
The attached guidance provides important information on the symptoms of Covid-19, how to prevent the spread and what do if your child develops symptoms. For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
I understand that you may be concerned but please know we will continue to work closely with our Health Protection Team. Should you have any queries related to this please get in touch at enquiries@lincolncastleacademy.co.uk
Thank you for your understanding and support at this time.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Louise Laming
Headteacher
Please click on NHS logo to view information:
Autumn Term (2)
18th September 2020
Dear Parents & Carers,
As promised in my letter last week, I write with a further update. With so much media coverage relating to schools, I believe it is important to keep you fully informed.
Students are now familiar with the changes we have put in place and the academy is orderly and focused. Daily step-counts have become a competitive sport amongst our staff as they move across the site to year group ‘zones’ many times throughout the day! As the national and local picture changes, we continue to adapt our procedures. It is a considerable undertaking to reorganise the entire school day. Whilst there are inevitable compromises, our arrangements are working well with excellent attendance across all year groups.
We appreciate it is difficult for you to envisage the changes we have made. We have therefore created a short narrated presentation so you can see and hear about our safety measures which can be viewed on the homepage of our website.
Important information for parents/carers
Masks in school
- Students are now required to wear masks when moving between classrooms and on corridors within their bubble. This applies to all students other than those with a valid medical exemption card. Students who fail to adhere to this rule will receive consequence points. Persistent refusal to follow this rule, designed to keep our entire community safe, will result in a fixed term exclusion in line with our Code of Conduct.
Transport
- All students travelling by bus, (other than those who are exempt) are required to wear a mask for the entire journey to and from school.
Costs
- Please support us by ensuring your child has a clean mask within a plastic bag inside their blazer pocket every day. We are unable to meet the ongoing cost of providing so many masks on a daily basis. Schools are not being reimbursed for additional cleaning/PPE/staffing costs during the Autumn term.
- Water fountains
In line with health and safety guidance, we are currently unable to provide access to our water fountains. Students should bring enough water from home for the school day.
We continue to monitor national and local Covid-19 updates as well as the information provided by parents. In the event that a member of staff or student tests positive for Covid-19, we will liaise with LCC Health Protection Team and determine which children need to be sent home. This will be determined by information held in school relating to ‘bubbles’, class lists, seating plans and information provided by the individual and their family.
If your child is required to remain at home, you will be notified individually. I will also, in the event of a confirmed case, write to all parents to inform you of the steps we have taken. For students remaining at home, their education will continue remotely.
I would like to thank you for once again sending messages of thanks and appreciation to our staff as we work in partnership to navigate this ‘new normal.’
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Laming
Headteacher
Useful links:
- Government advice on Covid-19 symptoms, self-isolation and testing:
- The Department for Education helpline is available to answer questions about coronavirus and education. Parents and young people can contact this helpline by calling: 0800 046 8687, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm.
- Useful links that detail our Covid-19 procedures and policies can be found on the academy website: lincolncastleacademy.co.uk
Autumn Term (1)
8th September 2020
Dear Parents & Carers,
Lincoln Castle Academy has been open to students for several days following the staggered start of term. I appreciate the return to school may have been an anxious time for families and I am therefore writing to provide the first of a series of regular updates.
Although we have spent many hours planning and adapting our procedures, we commit to ongoing reflection and to adapting as necessary. We recognise the trust you are placing in our staff to keep your child safe, to minimise risks and to educate your child.
The term so far…
I am delighted to report students and staff have adapted well to the changes in place. Whilst these are still early days, the atmosphere in the academy has been focused and, as I anticipated, very uplifting. We have encountered relatively few issues and have been delighted to return to teaching and learning as we know it. We are particularly delighted to welcome 170 new Year 7 students into our academy.
The term began with 2 days of staff training. During this time, we explored ways to support students to adapt to the demands of the curriculum and return to the resilience, study habits and routines that they knew 6 months ago. In addition, staff received important health and safety training.
All schools have had to overcome challenges whilst minimising risks, usually without extra space, resources or funds. At LCA we are fortunate to have a large spacious site meaning year groups can remain entirely separate throughout the school day. Students do not encounter other year group ‘bubbles’ as they remain in their base. For that reason, masks are not typically required (but must be carried as a precaution) and can be used at the discretion of the individual. We have increased our cleaning team with the appointment of several new staff and the site is cleaned throughout the day, as well as at the end of the day.
Looking ahead…
As always, we are grateful for your support; sending your child with a mask, accommodating our staggered start and end times and communicating with your child’s tutor as necessary. As I’ve said before, the task in hand is challenging and depends upon a community effort. For that reason, I request your support in the following ways:
Social Media
These are testing times for all of us, including adolescents. Please refrain from using social media to raise issues or concerns. Instead, communicate with us direct. By keeping our public posts positive, professional and measured, we will minimise anxiety for our students and make it clear that the adults at home and at school are working together to keep them safe. Please avoid speculating about suspected cases of Covid-19. Should we have a confirmed case, I will contact all parents.
- Timings
As previously communicated, we cannot currently accommodate students outside of the designated start and end times. Some students are arriving 30 minutes early and congregating outside the school gates. Please avoid sending your child to school with lots of unsupervised time to spare. We appreciate this is not possible for those travelling by bus and have supervision in place at the end of the school day for these students.
Social distancing
The current guidance advises children to maintain a distance of 1 metre or more from others at all times. Please reinforce this message, encouraging your child to be safe on the journey to and from school. Students should avoid touching others or sharing food.
Masks/face coverings on buses
All students (other than those who are exempt) should be wearing a mask for the entire journey to and from school. Please reinforce this message with your child as some students have failed to do so. This measure helps keep students safe when ‘bubbles’ are in close proximity.
Current Guidance
We are keeping up to date with all local Covid-19 updates, monitoring the information provided by parents, as well as liaising with our local Public Health England Protection Team. Should it be deemed necessary to ‘close a bubble’, this is most likely to impact one year group. Should this occur, the year group will be asked to remain at home for 14 days and their education will continue remotely. Individual students who are self-isolating will also receive remote education (further details to follow).
The latest advice regarding Covid-19 can be found using the link below which includes information on symptoms, self-isolation and testing:
Finally, please get in touch should you need to. Whilst parents are currently unable to access the school site without prior appointment, effective communication remains a priority.
Email your child’s Tutor or Head of Year
Email enquiries@lincolncastleacademy.co.uk
Telephone Reception: 01522 529203
Check the website & Facebook page for updates
Yours faithfully,
Mrs Laming
Headteacher
For earlier letters from the Headteacher please click on Headteacher's Updates tab below.
Thank you messages
Realise Education for the generous donation of laptops for our students.
Rolls Royce letter of thanks.
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