Pupils given choice of home learning in bid not to ruin Christmas
Headteacher takes decision that children not attending will not be recorded as absent following Covid cases
A HEADTEACHER has taken the decision to allow all pupils the option to study from home during the last week of term to prevent ‘Christmas from being ruined’ for families if a child has to isolate.
Headteacher at Swanmore College, Kyle Jonathan, has taken the decision after the whole of Year 11 were sent home last week to isolate following two positive Covid cases.
While the school will remain fully open to staff and pupils from December 14 to 18, all children will be able to access online lessons from home and those who do not attend in person will not be recorded as an absence.
Having just returned from isolation, Year 11 pupils are recommended to attend.
However, in a letter to parents, Mr Jonathan said ‘this will not be compulsory and you may keep your child at home should you prefer to do so’.
Families have been warned that failure to attend all online lessons will result in pupils being expected to attend remaining lessons in person.
Mr Jonathan said: ‘Whilst the measures we have on site are extensive and rigorously controlled, it’s extremely difficult to socially distance from a pupil in lessons should a pupil come into school unwell.
‘We hope that by putting these arrangements in place we can reduce the number of pupils onsite and reduce the risk of spreading the virus just before the
Christmas break.
‘This is only possible due to the incredible efforts of the teaching staff at Swanmore College who have agreed to do live lessons rather than put resources online.
‘This provision is usually offered by private schools only and very rarely by state schools.
‘We hope we are giving you the choice to make a decision that best meets your own family circumstances.’
Hampshire County Council’s executive member for education, Cllr Roz Chadd said: ‘The Department for Education has made it clear to all schools, and other education settings in England, that they must remain open right up until the last day of term.
‘They have issued guidance to that effect which the county council is following. We would strongly advise all schools to do the same.’
Portsmouth City Council said any such decision would be at the discretion of the school but it’s not something it is recommending.
We hope we can reduce the risk of spreading the virus just before the break. Kyle Jonathan