Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you all in the best of health.
As you will be aware, we have had a staggered start to the term with students returning to lessons gradually over this week. Thank you for your support with this, the onsite testing and the new measures we have had to put in place this term.
It has been great to have the students return and bring our building back to life – it is hard to capture the ‘buzz’ and energy they bring in words as it is something you experience when walking around the site, but I can certainly say that they are glad to be back and our whole community is raring to get on with the term ahead. There are some updates for you below, these are primarily covid focussed due to the changes in guidance from central government.
Covid Update
We are continuing to ask students to test each Sunday and Wednesday and report all test results through the NHS Test and Trace and any positives to our covidalert@derbymoor.derby.sch.uk email. This is key in helping to keep our community safe and reduce the spread of the virus within school. We will be issuing further test kits to students next week.
Isolation grants – When a positive LFD result is logged on the NHS website, it will automatically register the person into the track and trace system which will generate them an individual z code. This code can then be used to identify contacts and for individuals on low incomes to apply for the isolation grant of £500 on the council website.
Self-isolation rules – From Monday 17 January, people who are self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative with a lateral flow device (LFD) test on both day 5 and day 6 and they do not have a temperature. For example, if they test negative on the morning of day 5 and the morning of day 6, they can return to school immediately on day 6 if they are symptom free. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day.
All test results should be reported to NHS Test and Trace . We also ask that you send in images of both the LFD tests on the day you took them with the result and barcode clearly visible to our covidalert@derbymoor.derby.sch.uk email. If the result of either of their tests is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest. Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests or anyone who continues to have a temperature will need to complete the full 10 day period of self-isolation. Further information on self-isolation for those with COVID-19 is available on the gov.uk website.
Face coverings – thank you to families for supporting us with this. The vast majority of students have arrived to school prepared. If you could ensure your child either has a reusable face covering or 2 disposable face coverings, it will help them to continue moving throughout the school day smoothly. In the event that a covering is broken or lost they can use their spare as we cannot allow students indoors without a covering in place. It is likely these measures will remain in place at least until the end of January. We will, of course, update you if things change in the meantime.
Duke of Edinburgh
DofE for our Bronze and Silver students restarts on Thursday 20th January. Silver group, please note that this is your last First Aid Session and attendance is therefore essential.
Extra-curricular
The extra-curricular clubs are due to start up again next week. Activities and timings will be shared with students via the student bulletin in form times.
Derby Moor PTA
Having successfully established an effective Student Leadership Team, we are now looking to further engage stakeholders with the creation of a Parent-Teacher Association. This would present an opportunity for parents/carers to be involved in developing the school and making a real difference to our students within school and our wider community beyond. Participation in the group will involve working alongside our staff and student leaders to plan and run fundraising events, community events and to facilitate valuable parent voice in order for us to ensure all stakeholders are actively involved development of our offer at Derby Moor.
If you are interested in being a part of this group, you can express your interest, by attending a short meeting at:
- The Pakistani Community Centre: 103 Harrington St, Pear Tree, Derby DE23 8PB at 6pm on Wednesday 9 February 2022.
OR
- Derby Moor Spencer Academy: Moorway Lane, Littleover, Derby, DE23 2FS at 3.45pm on Thursday 10 February 2022.
Weather and warm coats
The weather has certainly turned somewhat colder this week and looks set to stay in single figures next week. Students do spend periods of time outside before school, at break and during lunch and need to come to school prepared with a warm coat. If this is a challenge for you as a family, please contact your child’s year manager to see how we may be able to support.
Careers Update
Our Year 11 students will be having a virtual mock interview with an employer during the next few weeks. We anticipate this being a positive experience and students will be doing some preparation during the ‘Drop Down Day’ next Thursday. Our wonderful volunteers will come from a range of employers including Rolls Royce; Alstom; Vodafone; The Home Office; Lubrizol and Severn Trent. Given that interviews for apprenticeships, employment and university are increasingly being carried out virtually we believe this is great preparation for our students. We would recommend making sure CV’s are up to date in readiness so they can approach the interview fully prepared.
Wishing you a safe and relaxing weekend,
Scott Doyle
Principal
