Dear respected Parent/Carer,
I hope and pray you receive this letter in the best of health and Imaan.
I would like to begin by thanking parents for your support to the school and with your child’s online learning over the last few months especially with the current challenging and unprecedented time.
Moving forward, though Rochdale Remains a high risk area, the school is confident with the strong risk assessment in place ( risk assessment will be shared on the parents whatsApp group) we can limit the risk of pupils and adults contracting coronavirus and in the unlikely event of an outbreak the school will ensure rapid and decisive action to contain the spread. We will therefore open the school in September.
September 2020
In the risk assessment, I have outlined some key changes to ensure both pupils and staff are safe. In order to achieve this, we have put into place a number of measures.
Key areas of the plan
The new academic year will commence with a staggered start date for the different year groups. This is to ensure the pupils have time to adapt to the changes within the school to implement the risk assessment.
Year 7 – Thursday 3rd September 2020
Year 10 and 11- Monday 7th September 2020
Year 8 and 9 – Wednesday 9th September 2020
School times
Due to no assemblies the school day will commence from 8.50 am to 3.15 pm. This will be reviewed at the end of each half term. To avoid pupils gathering together pupils should not arrive before 8.35am.
Start of the day
When pupils arrive, they will congregate in the playground in their designated ‘bubble area’ which will be clearly sign posted with class names. They must remain in that area until the class teacher collects them and also during lunch times.
Classrooms
Each class will be designated for the vast majority of the day for term 1. This is to limit large number of pupils moving around the school at the same time. The classes to be used will be shared with pupils on their first day.
Break and lunch times
Breaks will take place in the class. No tuck shop will be available in term 1 so pupils should bring snacks and drinks with them.
Lunch will be staggered so pupils can maintain some distance.
Sanitization
Hand sanitizer dispensers are located outside all classes, pupils must utilize them before entering and on departing their class.
End of the school day
At the end of the day please, wherever possible please park on the main road rather than Greenbank road to limit traffic and too many pupils gathering in one area.
Curriculum delivery
Pupils will have assessment in early September. The curriculum will then be adapted to cover any gaps in learning for term 1a. KS4 teaching will resume as planned and gaps of learning will be covered via intervention and booster sessions.
Fees
The Annual Fees are currently £1900 for ks3 pupils £2000 for year 10 pupils and £2100 for year 11 pupils. The new fees policy outlines that the payment will be now be payable in three termly Instalments. Fees must be paid by the following dates: –
1st Payment on the 15th September 2020 (Term 1)
2nd Payment on 15th January 2021 (Term 2)
3rd Payment on 25th April 2021 (Term 3)
All fees must be paid on time. Any late payments could result in your child losing her place at the school.
Parents who have financial struggle and wish to be placed on a payment plan must contact the admin office to arrange a meeting with myself. Once any payment plan has been agreed, payments must be made on time. Failure to meet the deadline will result in the payment plan option being terminated.
Attendance
As part of the drive to raising standards, I would first like to request your full support in ensuring your child attends school punctually every day. The government requirement is for pupils to be in school 95% of the time (minimum). I would like pupils to be in school 100% of the time and those pupils achieving this mark will be rewarded.
Uniform
I kindly request that parents ensure their child is fully equipped every day and prepared for the school day in advance. In particular, I would like to see pupils wear their uniform with pride- at all times; both in school and on their journey to and from school.
Pupils must adhere to our school’s uniform policy, which includes: their Hijab being tied properly. The uniform (although it is an Abayah), pupils must wear black trousers underneath (not jeans or leggings). Trainer socks will no longer be permitted; pupils must wear socks which cover their feet and lower legs. including ankles. Footwear must be flat black shoes (trainers will not be allowed). The school full PE kits should be brought in for all PE lessons. Pupils falling short of these standards will be sanctioned in line with the new behaviour policy.
School’s Dining facility
As mentioned in my previous correspondence in March, the dinning facility had been temporarily closed. The work is now near completion. Pupils will however be required to be bring lunch from home in the meantime. I will provide further update towards the end of September.
lockers
If they don’t already have one, your child can have access to a locker. There is deposit of £5 required for the locker which is refundable at the End of the year upon return of the key.
Planners
Pupils will be receiving personalized planners.The cost of the planners is £5.50 and will be available to purchase on the first day of the term from the form tutors.
I look forward to welcoming your child back to Rochdale Islamic Academy in September.
Yours faithfully,
Ms.M.Kauser Headteacher