Dear Parent/Carer,

As you will be aware from the Prime Minister’s announcement this week, from Monday 17^th May England is moving to the next stage of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown. Whilst this involves a further relaxation of the rules relating to mixing of families and friends and changes to business settings, it is important that we continue to be cautious within our academies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

At Brooke Weston Trust we continue to tread carefully and are regularly reviewing our risk assessments, including implementing the control measures advised by the Government.

One of these control measures is ongoing testing at home for all staff and secondary age students. This is a key protective measure against the virus and we strongly encourage everyone to continue taking the lateral flow (rapid) tests. As before, if the result of a rapid test is positive, please book a PCR (laboratory) test immediately and communicate the outcome of that with the appropriate person at the academy. Anyone with symptoms should immediately isolate and get a PCR test, and everyone in the household should isolate until the PCR test result is received. The household should then follow NHS Test and Trace advice on receipt of the test result.

The Government also announced that all staff and secondary school students are able to remove face coverings in classrooms and communal areas. All Brooke Weston Trust academies will continue with a cautious approach, including encouraging staff and students to consider continuing wearing face coverings in communal areas to minimise the risk of infection and transmission. Previous exemptions from wearing face coverings will still be applicable. All students aged 11 and over must still wear face coverings on public and school transport.

We are grateful for your continued support and understanding during this period. We will continue to keep you informed as we receive further updated guidance from Government. If you have any concerns about the contents of this letter or any other related concerns, please contact your academy directly.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Andrew Campbell

Chief Executive

Brooke Weston Trust