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March 2020

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  • Year 11 Examinations – Latest Guidance

    Published 24/03/20

    Dear Parents/Carers 
     
    We are currently considering the implications of the new stricter measures announced yesterday by the Prime Minister but wanted to write to inform you of the current DfE guidance regarding Year 11 examinations. Latest information from both OfQual and the examination boards indicate that a range of information will be considered and I would like to reassure our young people that we are committed to making sure they are not disadvantaged in any way. 

    The link to the government’s recent statement on how grades will be awarded can be found below, however I feel it might be useful to summarise the key points. 

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/further-details-on-exams-and-grades-announced 

    • Teachers will be asked to make a judgement on the grade they feel learners would have achieved if they had sat the examinations and completed the course as normal. This judgement will be based on a wide range of evidence not just on recent mock examinations and can include evidence from classwork, homework and in class tests. This may mean that the grade a teacher predicted on previous reports may differ from the final grade they suggest should be awarded. Teachers will do everything to ensure learners are awarded the grades they were on track to achieve.
    • Examination Boards hope to inform learners of the grades they have been awarded earlier than normal at the end of July.
    • An appeals process will be available to learners who feel the grade awarded does not reflect what they would have achieved if they had sat the exam as normal but as of yet I have no information on how this process will work.
    • Learners will be awarded full GCSE and Cambridge national (CNAT) qualifications and will receive certificates as normal.
    • Although full qualifications will be awarded, there will be the opportunity, if learners wish, to sit exams in subjects at some point from September 2020 onwards if they feel they could have done better.  

    What young people need to do now? 

    • The most important thing is for learners not to give up on their studies to ensure that they haven’t taken a backwards step when they start college in September. It is particularly important that they maintain high standards of English and mathematics as these are examinations they may want to consider taking in September. They should also be continuing their studies of any subject relating to their proposed post 16 pathway.
    • Any coursework that learners have been asked to complete at home for subjects is now vital as we now know this will be used to inform their final grades. This should be emailed to either your teacher or homelearning@pegasusacademy.org.uk.
    • It is vital that learners keep and eventually return any books, mock examination papers, assessment materials and home learner so it can be called upon as evidence if necessary. Staff are on hand to answer any subject specific questions from parents/carers but can I ask that teachers are not contacted about suggested grades. Teachers are working with learners, not against them. We always have the best interests of our learners at heart and need time to reflect on the wealth of evidence they have before making their final judgement.  

    We will be in touch with further updates as we get them. In the meantime, stay safe and continue to follow guidance from the government and NHS. 
     
    Yours faithfully 
     
    Mr A.P Landers

    Principal 

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  • COVID-19 Update - 17th March

    Published 17/03/20

    Dear Parents/ Carers

    Re: Coronavirus update (COVID-19) #2

    Following the letter dated 16/03/20 regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), we will aim to provide regular updates regarding actions taken to ensure the health and safety of all our staff and learners. Each Principal will provide a personalised daily update which will be accessible via the academy website at the end of each day.

    Vulnerable groups

    Given the significant challenge posed by COVID-19, we fully support you in the judgment you make about your child’s health and whether you decide that your child should attend the academy. If your child has a temperature and/or a new, persistent cough, then the guidance is that your child should remain at home. Similarly, if anyone in your household has these symptoms then the guidance is that all members of the household should self-isolate for fourteen days. We are asking everyone to be particularly careful to support any learners who are in a vulnerable groups relating to Type 1 Diabetes, lower levels of immunity or if they are asthmatic or any learners who have siblings and household members in the vulnerable group. The very latest health guidelines can be found via the following link to the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/.

    Cleanliness of our Estates

    I can personally reassure you that each of our academies have plenty of stock onsite to replenish soap, toilet roll and other necessities as required. When stock is running low we encourage learners and staff to report it so that it can be addressed immediately. Our site teams are working hard to ensure that estates are cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis. All staff have been asked to remain vigilant regarding health and safety matters on site.

    In case of closure – How will I be informed?

    If a decision is made by the government to close schools we will act immediately. Parents and carers will be informed via a text message home and an update added to the academy and Trust website. Should any parent/carer be unable to collect their child, learners will be contained on site until they are available to do so.

    In case of closure – How will my child access online resources?

    Learners have been reminded of how to access their online learning platforms and the passwords they use. Each academy will have a different approach to accessing online resources, which will be made available imminently for those learners who are in self-isolation. We are also keen for learners engaging in distance learning to have a structure to their day: As far as possible, they should try to cover their timetabled subjects each day with a particular emphasis on English, mathematics and science. They should also take regular breaks, eat healthily and arrange to talk to friends over the phone where appropriate. We will continue to incentivise the use of Hegarty and Century by tracking learners’ usage and keeping everyone updated on our Century and Hegarty learners’ leaders’ boards.

    Community

    We are a community and as per our value, respecting each other and our world, we support our staff, learners and parents and carers. Should you require any further guidance please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you in advance for your support and patience at this time.

    Yours faithfully,

    Jo Higgins
    Chief Executive

    Please see below to download a full copy of this letter.

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  • COVID-19 Update - 16th March

    Published 16/03/20

    Dear Parents/ Carers

    Re: Coronavirus update (COVID-19)

    As you are aware the worldwide outbreak of Coronavirus is resulting in changes to how organisations operate and as a result, I have taken the decision to make the following changes to our procedures over the forthcoming weeks. As from today, Monday 16th March, the following procedures will apply:

    • All external school meetings involving visitors to the academy will be cancelled and will be conducted by telephone (with the exception of safeguarding matters).
    • The Senior Leadership Team will conduct any pre-arranged parental meeting by telephone, as opposed to face to face.
    • All parents’ evenings will be cancelled and feedback for parents will be sent by other means, as soon as possible.
    • Reception will be closed to all external visitors, including parents. Any contact with the academy will need to be conducted via email or telephone.
    • All sporting fixtures and trips will be cancelled.
    • All external lettings of school facilities will be cancelled.

    These measures are not intended to cause any panic but are simply to minimise the risk of infection and safeguard both the staff and learners of our academies. The focus over the forthcoming weeks is the smooth running of our schools.

    In common with all other schools in England, all of the academies within Dudley Academies Trust will continue to follow the guidance from Public Health England and the Department for Education. The current advice, as of Friday 13th March 2020, is that any learner who has a temperature or persistent cough should self-isolate for 7 days. The school will authorise all absences that should arise as a result of this. We shall continue to publish government advice on our websites. The very latest health guidelines can be found via the following link to the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/.

    It is important that the education of our learners is not disrupted and that we are able to operate as normal for as long as possible. However, contingency plans are already in place for continuing your children’s studies should the academy be asked to close, and we will keep you updated of any further guidance received.

    Thank you in advance for your support.

    Yours faithfully
    Jo Higgins
    Chief Executive

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  • Dudley College Open Day (14th March)

    Published 04/03/20

    On Saturday 14th March 2020 our sponsor Dudley College will be holding an open day. We would like to encourage our students to attend to find out the wide range of courses that are on offer including A Levels, Vocational Courses and Apprenticeships. This day is perfect to help you explore your career choices. There will be industry specialists at all campuses available to discuss your ideal career. For more information please click here or speak to Mrs Turton at the Academy. 

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  • Primary School Parents: see our academy in action!

    Published 02/03/20

    If you have children in Year 6 or 5, you are invited to book a tour of our academy. One of our senior staff will show you our facilities and classrooms while the pupils are in class. You will be able to find out about some of the new and highly successful teaching techniques that we are using, ask questions about life in the school and discuss how pupils settle in when they join. You can visit us on the mornings of Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th, or Thursday 12th March. Please use the link below to discover more and book a place!

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March 2020

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