Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The government is closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus and is taking action at home and abroad. I aim to keep you updated as regularly as possible in relation to any further advice or guidance we receive from the Department for Education or Public Health England or to any decisions we have to make regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and school events.
- School Reopening Plans
- Free School Meals
- Students' Work
- Examinations & Assessments
- General Information
- Further Advice
- Safeguarding
- Admissions
- Policies
- Asymptomatic Testing
- Vulnerable students and children of critical workers
- Weekly Challenges
School Reopening Plans
School Reopening Plans
FAQs |
Code of Conduct |
Risk Assessment - January 2021 |
Parent Handbook |
Self-Isolation Guidance |
NHS Advice For Schools |
Due to the recent rise in cases of the Covid-19 virus, specifically the newer, more transmissible strain, the school is currently only open for vulnerable students and children of critical workers. As per the government's guidance, students must stay at home. Students should be accessing the full schedule of online learning via MS Teams. Further support on our online provision is available in this section of the website. The government will be reviewing these restrictions in February.
In order to safely welcome the students back to school, we have implemented a number of measures to protect the students and staff from contracting and spreading the Covid-19 virus. The details of changes to the site and our protocols can be found in the parent handbook for September, which can be found by clicking here.
It is clear from the guidance that we cannot create a totally risk free environment. However, we are confident that we can balance and minimise any risks from coronavirus (COVID-19) whilst providing a full educational experience for our students.
Our preparations will ensure that we can respond to a changing situation. We will always prioritise health and safety; we understand that you need to be confident in our ability to manage and make safe decisions in a sometimes rapidly changing situation.
Parents and carers must not send their son/daughter to school with any symptoms of illness, however mild, including:
- a high temperature (a fever),
- diarrhoea,
- nausea,
- a sore throat,
- a new continuous cough, this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
The school reserves the right to refuse entry to any student where there are legitimate concerns regarding the health of a student. It will be the parent’s responsibility to collect their son/daughter, within a 30-minute period, where they become unwell or appear unwell.
Free School Meals
FREE SCHOOL MEAL PROVISION
This guidance explains what schools should do when providing school meals from September 2020.
As our school kitchens will be open, normal free school meal provision will resume in school. Drinking water is also provided at each of the food serving stations at break and lunch.
If a student that is entitled to free school meals has to self-isolate, the school will contact the household to release food vouchers that can be used at a variety of local supermarkets. Students may need to self-isolate due to:
- Showing symptoms related to the Covid-19 virus and are awaiting a test result
- A member of the household showing symptoms related to the Covid-19 virus and are awaiting a test result
- A close contact or family member testing positive for Covid-19
If a student that is entitled to free school meals is absent for any other reason, they will not be eligible for the food vouchers.
The eligibility criteria for free school meals can be found at apply for free school meals.
BE AWARE OF SCAM EMAILS
We have been informed that some parents have received an email stating the following: ‘As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported’.
We can confirm that this is a scam email and is not official. We urge parents that if you receive any emails like this, please do not respond, and delete it immediately.
Students' Work
Students working from home
What work will my son/daughter be set?
Your son/daughter will be set work according to their timetable. Students should complete the tasks on the set day. All subjects, with the exception of core PE, will set the following via Microsoft Teams:
- Task guidance using the ‘home learning sheet’ that details what your son/daughter should do;
- A voice over PowerPoint so students can hear the teacher explain and model; and
- Off screen tasks that they will complete in their printed booklet or their exercise book.
Core PE will set a voice over PowerPoint and a link to a one hour work out that your son/daughter should complete.
All voice over PowerPoints are quality assured by heads of department to ensure your son/daughter continues to have access to high quality teaching. Having a recorded explanation and modelling allows students to pause and rewind as necessary to aid their understanding. Students continue to have access to the voice over PowerPoints after they have completed the tasks so that they can return to them a later date should they need to. The voice over PowerPoints also ease pressure on access to computers in the household as students can complete them at a time of their choosing.
Students in Years 12 and 13 will receive an invite from their teachers to a live online lesson. The lessons follow their timetable, mirror lessons in school and students will receive the same teaching time as they would do normally. Live online lessons are recorded so should your son/daughter not be able to access them live, they can listen back at another time. Students can also use the recordings to listen back to the teacher explanation and modelling to support their understanding and aid with the completion of tasks.
What homework will my son/daughter receive?
Students in Years 7 to 10:
In order to manage student workload, students will be expected to complete their daily reading and maths homework. Maths homework will be set via Hegarty Maths. Students will not be set subject homework tasks. Daily reading is set via MS Teams as part of the English work along with the weekly schedule as a reminder of where students should read to that week.
Students in Years 11, 12 and 13:
Students will be set homework according to the normal homework policy. Please see our policies page for further information.
How will I know if my son/daughter has completed the work?
Teachers will be checking your son/daughter's work on a daily basis. Data from this checking is collected centrally and will be used to inform your weekly tutor phone call. Your son/daughter's tutor will let you know whether your son/daughter is completing their tasks and uploading the work, only viewing the tasks but not uploading the work or not accessing the work at all. Text messages will also go out to keep you updated.
How will my son/daughter receive feedback?
This may consist of a photograph of their written tasks or an electronic document. It is essential that your son/daughter uploads their work so that their teacher can provide feedback to your son/daughter and ensure that subsequent lessons are amended to meet the needs of the students. Your son/daughter will receive regular feedback via Microsoft Teams from their subject teachers in the following ways:
- Personalised feedback using the personal feedback box at the side of their uploaded work;
- Whole class feedback via the post section of their class team; and
- Whole class feedback via electronic document such as Word or PowerPoint. This will be attached to the class resources as a task to ensure your son/daughter goes back and improves their work.
Year 11 students will have access to a number of drop in sessions per week via Microsoft Teams. These will be provided for each of the examination subjects that your son/daughter sits at the school. For English, mathematics and science students will be able to access one tutorial per week. For all other examination subjects, students will be able to access one tutorial per fortnight. Sessions will provide students with the opportunity to speak to a subject specialist teacher and get support as needed such as explaining a concept or model the working out of a problem. Teachers will also take note of student questions so that they can provide extra support materials where necessary as well as adapt future lessons.
Year 12 and 13 students will receive ongoing feedback from their teachers during their online lessons and via email. Students will also have scheduled 1:1 feedback sessions via Microsoft Teams with teachers.
Guidance for students
Working from home is not ideal and can sometimes feel very frustrating. There are a number of things that you need to do that will help make home learning easier.
Before you start work
Before you start your home learning, make sure you have done the following:
· Eaten your breakfast. Your brain is like an engine. If you don’t feed it, it won’t work properly.
· Found where you are going to work. It is important that you work in a space that does not contain any distractions. The better your focus, the easier work will be.
· Checked your schedule and collected all your equipment and resources that you need.
· Poured yourself a glass of water. Water increases your concentration levels and helps you think more clearly.
· Put your phone in another room. Students who work in rooms with their phones achieve less than those who don’t.
For more information and support about working at home, please click here.
Microsoft Teams
All your tasks for every day will be on Microsoft Teams. You will be able to see your tasks for the day by logging into Microsoft Teams using your school email and clicking on the activity or assignment tab on the left hand side. The link to Microsoft Teams can be found under the ‘school logins’ at the top of the website. Remember you should complete all work according to your timetable and on the day it is set. You should not be leaving work to build up. All resources needs to be uploaded to Microsoft Teams so that teachers can see what you have done and provide you with feedback.
To find out how to access Microsoft Teams watch the video below:
To find out how to access your assignments or upload your work, watch the video here:
For more information about accessing remote technology, click here.
Ruth Allen is the senior leader responsible for Remote Education for King Charles I School. She is contactable on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at King Charles I School on 01562 512880.
Examinations & Assessments
Examinations
Summer 2020
On Wednesday 18th March, the Government announced that all GCSE, AS and A Level examinations and assessments will be cancelled this summer. This was to support the fight to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
On Friday 3rd April, Ofqual released further guidance as to how the GCSE, AS, vocational courses (BTECs, WJEC Tech awards, OCR Nationals and AQA Tech awards) and A Level grades will be awarded this summer. The guidance states that:
- Ofqual’s over-riding aim in awarding the grades is to be fair to students this summer and to make sure they are not disadvantaged in their progress to sixth form, college, university, apprenticeships, training or work because of these unprecedented conditions;
- for each GCSE and A Level subject, we will send the exam boards: a centre assessment grade for each student. This is the grade we believe each student was most likely to get if teaching, learning and exams had happened as planned; and the order of students, by performance, for each grade;
- The students will be issued a calculated grade. Ofqual and the exam boards will standardise the grades across schools and colleges, to make sure that, as far as possible, results are fair and that students are not advantaged or disadvantaged. They state that students’ individual performance will not be predetermined by their prior attainment at KS2 or GCSE. Please note that the final grade students get may be different from the centre assessment grade we send to the exam board;
- the grades awarded to students will have equal status to the grades awarded in other years and should be treated in this way by sixth forms, universities, colleges and employers; and
- Ofqual are focused on making sure students are not disadvantaged by these unprecedented circumstances including allowing for an appeal where appropriate. Students who feel that their grades from the summer do not reflect their ability will have the opportunity to take their exams in the autumn series or in summer 2021. If they choose to do this, both grades will stand.
- Calculated Grade Results will be released on the published results days. These are 13th August for A level and 20th August for GCSE.
- On Monday 17th August, the government announced, in agreement with Ofqual, to revert to the centre assessment grades (for both A level and GCSE) which schools assessed students as most likely to achieve had they sat the examinations this summer. The announcement can be found by following this link.
Procedure used for assigning centre assessment grades
The school considered a range of assessments for each student in determining their centre assessed grade: their classwork; their results in assessments and any mock exams; any non-exam assessment or coursework; and their general progress in each subject. Teachers will also apply their considerable experience of their subjects, examinations and the students they teach, when making decisions about the centre assessment grades. The centre assessment grades are not determined by a single teacher and have been subject to a stringent moderation process. The guidance document states that schools must be cautious in accepting any work submitted from Years 11 and 13 students after Friday 20th March when all schools were directed to close. As a school we took the decision not to set any additional formal assessments over the period of home learning in order to ensure fairness. The process the school followed in making the centre assessment grade decisions is outlined below:
Stage 1: Subject leaders identified the pieces of assessment evidence which would be used to generate the centre assessment grades. This evidence was selected from assessments completed since the start of the Key Stage.
Stage 2: Subject leaders decided upon the weighting each piece of evidence would have in generating a final subject mark
Stage 3: Subject leaders ranked the students
Stage 4: Teachers assigned each student a centre assessment grade based upon the rank of the students, previous years grade boundaries and school grade distributions
Stage 5: Departments met as a group, moderated and finalised every students’ grade and rank. Where there are small numbers in a department teachers worked in collaboratively in the Multi Academy Trust.
Stage 6: Senior leaders checked every students’ grades for disparities and consistency in following the process.
Stage 7: Data is inputted and checked by a second party for clerical errors.
Stage 8: The head of centre checked the data for clerical errors and authorised.
Calculated grades
This year's grades have been calculated through a combination of centre assessment grades and the rank order of students by their expected performance provided by schools and colleges, and a model of national standardisation developed by Ofqual and the exam boards to make sure that all grades are fair and valid. You can find out more about this process by watching Ofqual's explainer video, or visiting their website
Standardisation is the process used by Ofqual and the exam boards to make sure that the same standards are applied across different schools and colleges. The standardisation model will make sure grades are fair and that students are not advantaged or disadvantaged if their school or college was more generous or harsh when grades were put forward. The model will make sure that average grades across the country are not significantly higher or lower than previous or future years - if the spread of grades were significantly different this year, it would undermine their value.
Final Grades
The government have announced that the students should not receive a final grade that is lower than the centre assessment grade. The final grade, issued from the examination board, is either the centre assessment grade or the calculated grade if it is higher. The final grades should be used for any future pathway applications and will appear on the examination certificates that will be issued later in the autumn term.
Appeals
King Charles I School is committed to ensuring that whenever our staff assesses students’ work for external qualification, this is done fairly, consistently and in accordance with the specification for the subject concerned. The centre assessment grades have been conducted by staff who have appropriate knowledge, understanding and skills, and who have been trained in this activity.
Students cannot appeal their centre assessment grade or final (calculated) grade. Students will also no longer be able ask their school to appeal their awarded grade on the basis of a ‘mock’ exam. The students can only appeal a result on the grounds of:
- Data error – where the school or exam board has made an error when entering the data.
- Bias and discrimination – where the student has evidence that the school has showed bias or discrimination.
All appeals must come from the centre on a candidate’s behalf, if agreed, with the candidate’s consent. Candidates cannot appeal directly to awarding bodies.
If you wish to make an appeal, please complete the appeal application form and send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Thursday 17th September 2020 (where university places are pending, we will submit applications as soon as possible following the release of the examination results).
Ofqual has published guidance on appeals, malpractice and maladministration complaints for students who received their GCSE, AS and A level grades in England in summer 2020, summarising the information they have previously published and including contact details for additional help and support.
Autumn 2020
JCQ have now confirmed the dates for the autumn examination series. These examinations are for students who wish to improve on the calculated grade issued by the examination board in the summer. Students can enter by completing the entry form found here. The school will pay the examination entry fees.
The deadline for completing the required entry form will be 1 September for GCE examinations and these examinations will take place between 5th – 23rd October.
The deadline for completing the required entry form will be 11 September for GCSE examinations and these examinations will take place between 2nd – 23rd November.
Further information:
- Summer 2020 GCSE, AS and A level, Extended project Qualification and Advance Extension Award in maths: Guidance for teachers, students, parents and carers.
- Ofqual message for all GCSE, AS and A level students this summer
- National Careers Service: Post 16 options
- National Careers Service: Post 18 options
- JCQ decision tree: Useful advice on appeals, awarding grades and malpractice.
- Ofqual have published a fact sheet and film for schools and stakeholders which provides more detail about how GCSE, AS and A level grades will be standardised this summer.
- Guidance on understanding your qualifications grades this summer and the next steps.
- Appeal arrangements for AS, A levels and GCSEs
- Student guide to appeals and malpractice or maladministration complaints: summer 2020
- JCQ Video and Infographics
- Information for students about GCSEs. AS and A levels and other qualifications in 2020
General Information
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information
Coronaviruses are a group of related viruses that can cause respiratory tract infections. The COVID-19 is a particular strain of the coronaviruses. Those infected with the virus may either be asymptomatic (experience no symptoms) or can develop flu-like symptoms such as:
- a cough
- a high temperature
- shortness of breath
But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
If any person in a household has a persistent cough or fever, everyone living there must stay at home and self-isolate for 14 days. These people should avoid leaving the house.
Prior to the school closure, we had made a number of changes to our normal working practices to ‘socially distance’ our school community as much as practically possible. Measures we are taking include:
- Cleaning and disinfecting regularly touched objects and surfaces more often than usual using our standard cleaning products
- Encouraging students to ensure they wash their hands for 20 seconds more often than usual with soap and water or hand sanitiser
- Encouraging students to catch coughs and sneezes in tissues
- Postponing or cancelling all extra-curricular activity that is not exam related up until the Easter holidays. These included:
- Spring music concert scheduled for Tuesday 17th March;
- WW1 trip to Belgium scheduled for Wednesday 18th March to 20th March;
- The Author visit scheduled for Monday 23rd March
- Years 8-10 awards afternoon scheduled for Thursday 26th March;
- Awards evening scheduled for Thursday 26th March;
- Girls handball final (winter school games) scheduled for Thursday 26th March
- The school production scheduled for Wednesday 1st April, Thursday 2nd April and Friday 3rd April; and
- Year 10 Future choices day scheduled for Friday 3rd April
- Cancelling all non-essential visitors to school. If parents/carers wish to discuss their child’s education, please do so by email or phone, as we will not be inviting any of our parents or partner agencies into school for meetings.
- Cancelling the 8 Year 12 students on current work experience placements
- Cancelling all sixth form students commuting between King Charles I School, Haybridge High School and Hagley Catholic High School.
- Extracurricular clubs and activities will continue to run as the students will not be in contact with others from outside the school.
Further Advice
Further advice
The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is now available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Parents and students can contact this helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
Where to find the latest information:
- Updates on COVID-19: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
- Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
- Latest Department for Education information: https://twitter.com/educationgovuk https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk/
- Public Health England: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
- Department for Education: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
- UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
- Ofqual: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual
- Information for parents and carers about the closures of schools and other educational settings:
- DfE: Further details on exams and grades announced
- Ofqual: Further details on exams and grades announced
- JCQ Response to the Department for Education’s Statement
- Guidance to answer common questions in relation to the cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A levels due to the Coronavirus outbreak
- Coronavirus travel guidance for education settings
Support for children and young people:
Provider | Support available |
Children’s Commissioner |
A downloadable guide for children and young people about the coronavirus, including proactive advice to support mental wellbeing. |
PHE |
Rise Above is a website co-created and produced by young people. It aims to build resilience and support good mental health in young people aged 10 to 16. The content has been adapted to COVID-19 and includes new mental health content based on insights from young people remote schooling. |
NHS |
NHS.UK mental health information section signposting to Every Mind Matters and a range of helplines hosted by voluntary community organisations. |
NHS
|
NHS Apps library helps people find apps and online tools to help manage their health and wellbeing. We are working closely with NHSX to rapidly review apps for children and young people’s mental health and make them available via this apps library. For example, Think Ninja is an app specifically designed to educate 10-18 year olds about mental health, emotional wellbeing and to provide skills young people can use to build resilience and stay well. It has been adapted to COVID-19 to bring self-help knowledge and skills to children and young people (10-18 years old) who may be experiencing increased anxiety and stress during the crisis. |
NHS |
NHS mental health providers, including children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS), are continuing to operate and many have already transitioned to delivering elements of care digitally to help maintain continuity of care and make best use of resources. For NHS mental health support, children and young people or their parents or carers can contact their GP or refer to NHS 111 online. Local CYPMH services will also have information on access on their websites. Self-referral options are commonly available and many services offer single points of access. This means there is a single set of contact information through which all queries and referrals are channelled through. Find out more about children and young people’s mental health services here. |
NHS |
For those in mental health crisis, most parts of England have a helpline to access support. You can find out the number to ring for your local area at nhs.uk. |
NHS |
Children and young people who are caring for someone with a mental illness can self-refer to the NHS Volunteer Responders programme using this link if they are having issues shopping for food or picking up prescriptions. |
Voluntary and Community Sector |
Children and young people can access free confidential support anytime from Government-backed voluntary and community sector organisations by texting SHOUT to 85258, calling Childline on 0800 1111 or the Mix on 0808 808 4994. For support with an eating disorder, children and young people can ring Beat’s Youthline on 08088010711. Children and young people can also find online information on COVID-19 and mental health on the Young Minds website. |
Schools |
School nurses continue to have and maintain contact with children and young people, focussing on key public health issues such as mental health and supporting vulnerable groups including young carers. Mental health and wellbeing is also a core part of the new RSHE curriculum. Some schools will offer additional support from counsellors, an NHS Mental Health Support Team or a voluntary and community sector organisation such as Place 2 Be. |
Local support |
Most council websites have great information about COVID-19 mental wellbeing support, including community and neighbourhood support. |
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
Students who have been allocated a social worker (those students who are subject to a Child in Need Plan, a Child Protection Plan or who are Looked After) have all been contacted to confirm if they will be attending school. If these students are not attending, staff will be telephoning every week, during term time, to check on their welfare.
Please click here to view our Coronavirus Safeguarding Policy.
We are aware the Coronavirus national emergency will cause all sorts of strains and anxieties in families and in the community. We would like to make you aware of the following services to help and support your sons/daughters whilst isolating at home:
- You can contact school if you have safeguarding concerns for your own children or are aware of risks to other children. This includes any type of abuse (physical, emotional, neglect or sexual), child sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, domestic abuse, alcohol or drug misuse. In the event of any safeguarding concern, please contact Chris Gibson directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call on 07399 281324.
- You can also choose to self-refer or anonymously report a concern to Worcestershire Children’s First on 01905 822666 (out of hours 01905 768020).
- Kidderminster Food Banks can be contacted on 01562 746600, if you need that support. However, please be aware that these services are currently under strain. We also have a stock of sanitary towels in school for student use. Please contact Chris Gibson if required.
- Students who are young carers will be under great strain. If we are aware of young carers, we will contact them directly. If anyone else becomes a young carer, please contact us for support. Please be aware we expecting some of these services will be very strained during this period so some patience may be needed. However, if you are struggling, please contact us and we may be aware of alternative choices. Information will be updated as we find out more.
- We have compiled a useful list of resources that should help to inform you about how to keep you or your children safe. Many of these websites and services have been updated specifically to advise students and parents/carers on keeping safe during the school closures. You can access these by following this link.
E-Safety
During the school closures, we are aware there will be a strain on you to supervise your children. Please make sure you are checking laptops/PCs/tablets and phones and that parental controls and privacy settings are set on social media. It is advisable that you do regular checks to ensure your sons/daughters are safe online.
- We have compiled a useful list of resources that should help to inform you about how to keep you or your children safe online. Many of these websites and services have been updated specifically to advise students and parents/carers on keeping internet safe during the school closures. You can access these by following this link.
- "Think You Know" have produced new activity packs with simple 15 minute activities you can do with your child to support their online safety at a time when they will spending more time online at home.
- If you feel your child is at risk or you know something has happened, please contact CEOP (Child Online and Protection Agency) on https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ or use the Report Abuse button which you can search on Google.
- If there are serious cyberbullying issues ring 101 and a PCSO will assist.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is a particularly anxious time for everyone. There may be a strain on students’ mental health and wellbeing during the school closures. We have compiled a useful list of resources that should help to inform you about how to look after your, or your child’s, mental health and wellbeing. Many of these websites and services have been updated specifically to advise students and parents/carers during the school closures. You can access these by following this link.
Admissions
Admissions Information
In-year Admissions
King Charles I School will continue to process all in-year applications that we receive. Parents/carers should email the form onto the Worcester County Council School Admissions Section at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note that, due to school closures, there may be a delay in informing you of an outcome. Further information can be found here.
Year 7 2020/21
We are delighted that so many Year 6 parents/students and students have chosen to come to King Charles in September 2020. The school closures will likely affect some of our normal transition activities. We will be writing to all parents/carers individually to give you further updates on our transition process. All correspondence to date will be available here. If you have any questions about the transition arrangements, please contact Mr Wilkinson (head of the Borrington Site) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Parents/Carers that still wish to make an application should do so using the Late Application form (available here). We advise that, to ensure that your application will be considered for September, you apply before July. If you apply later in July and/or during the school holidays, there is no guarantee that your application will be processed in time for a September start.
Year 12 2020/21
We are now enrolling students to the King Charles I School Sixth Form. Due to the school closures students have not been able to sit their examinations. As a result, we will be relaxing the course entry criteria to ensure the students are not disadvantaged in reaching their desired post-16 pathway. If required, students will be contacted to discuss course suitability. To enrol at King Charles I School please complete the online form available here. Course preparation material will be sent out to students in the summer term. If you have any queries please contact Ruth Allen on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Policies
Policies
Asymptomatic Testing
Asymptomatic Testing
We have been asked by the Department for Education to implement a testing programme when the students return to school after the Christmas break. We fully support the programme as we can see that it will potentially reduce the disruption that has been caused previously by the required self-isolation of positive contacts. For further information please follow this link to the Four Stones Multi-Academy Trust website.
If you consent to the testing of your son/daughter then we will need you to complete the online form to register and consent to the test. Please note that if a student is already aged 16 or over then they will also need to give consent themselves. The consent form can be accessed by the following link.
If you cannot access the form or would like a paper copy consent form please contact the school by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phoning reception on 01562 512880.
Testing of both staff and students is offered free of charge.
Those taking the test will be supervised by the staff who have received the training by the government. The ‘lateral flow’ tests are quick and easy using a swab of your nose and throat. For students under the age of 18, staff can oversee the swab process where necessary or requested.
The results (which take around half an hour from testing) will be shared directly with the staff and students participating. Where participants are under 16 and have tested positive, parents/carers will also be informed by a member of staff at school.
What if a student tests positive?
Participating students who test positive will be informed about their results individually. Where participants are under 16, parents/carers will also be notified as outlined above. Guidance on safe travel and additional precautions will be provided along with test results.
Students who have tested positive will then need to take a further ‘PCR test’ (similar to those done in local and regional testing sites) on the same day (or as soon as possible after the initial test). You can go to www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119 to book a follow-up test. Wherever possible you should choose to visit a drive-through test site as it is faster than requesting a home test.
Whilst your son/daughter is awaiting the PCR result (via text/email) they will need to self-isolate and follow their remote lessons which will be available via MS Teams
If the PCR test returns a further positive result your son/daughter will have to self-isolate and follow the guidance from NHS Test and Trace.
What happens if the test is negative?
Your son/daughter will be able to stay in school and resume their activities as normal. A student will only be told if they test positive on a ‘lateral flow’ test, so if you do not hear from us you can assume the test was negative. Students will need to repeat the test if the first test was invalid or void for some reason.
What if a close contact at school tests positive?
A close contact of someone in school who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to return to school if they agree to be tested once a day for 7 days and the test is negative. If they do not want to take the test on a daily basis, they will need to self-isolate as per the national guidelines which is currently 10 days. This does not apply to household members or close contacts outside of school who will still need to self-isolate. Further details will be provided at the time. Again, this is an option and not a directive. If you would prefer for your son/daughter to self-isolate rather than take the daily test then this is acceptable.
What if my son/daughter develops symptoms?
This testing programme at school is for people with no symptoms. If your son/daughter develops symptoms at any time (such as a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste) they must immediately self-isolate, and book a test by calling 119 or visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Vulnerable students and children of critical workers
Vulnerable students and children of critical workers
From 5th January 2021, the school is only open for vulnerable students and children of critical workers. The definition of vulnerable students and critical workers can be found here.
If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be. If someone in the household, or in the childcare support bubble, is not a key worker then they should be caring for the child. However, if a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker and cannot arrange alternate childcare, then educational provision will be available for them.
We have the following provision in place:
- All students will be located on the Hillgrove site. Students in Years 7 and 8 will be in the 6th form study room and students in Years 9-13 will be in TP1 and TP2.
- We do not have to keep the students in year group bubbles due to the duration of the closures.
- Students are required to wear their school uniform.
- Students will need to bring in their own equipment (as they would on a normal school day) and also a pair of headphones.
- Students arrive from 8.30am and go to their allocated location.
- Students have a break at 11.00am-11.20am. They will need to bring their own snack/drink.
- Students have a lunch break at 12.20pm-12.55pm. They will need to bring their own packed lunch into school as the catering facilities are not available. Students that are eligible for free school meals have been allocated food vouchers to support.
- When in lessons, students should access MS Teams for their daily tasks. This includes watching any videos, narrated PowerPoints and virtual lessons for Year 12 and 13. Students also can access their work booklets and textbooks where required. This is the same provision that the students working at home receive.
- We insist students and members of staff continue to be mindful of the safety measures in place including regular hand sanitising, improved ventilation and air circulation, wearing of face coverings when moving around site and maintaining a social distance at all times.
- Students will finish at 2.55pm.
If your son/daughter requires access to this provision then please contact the school via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note that it may take us around 24 hours to confirm that your son/daughter has secured a place.
Weekly Challenges
King Charles I School
Extra-curricular spring term
Weekly challenges
“Trying new things is the only way you’re going to learn what your new passions are.”
Lauren Skonieczny
As a school, we pride ourselves of giving every student the opportunity to outshine and be the best they can. When students are at school, we offer a diverse range of opportunities and experiences, which equips and prepares students with the social and cultural capital needed to compete. We believe it is about instilling knowledge, sparking curiosity, building confidence and broadening horizons. As a school, we are still committed to ensuring that students have access to a variety of activities and challenges to help motivate and engage them at this difficult time.
You can find out more details about the following activities in the following places:
- During our daily online tutor sessions
- On Twitter – follow us at @KC1school
- In your son/daughter’s weekly email from their head of year
Title |
Type of activity |
House challenges |
Various challenges |
Puzzle of the week |
Maths puzzles |
Science competition |
Various science challenges |
PE challenge |
Various sporting challenges |
Technology |
Textiles and food |
MFL |
Cultural and vocab. building |
Geography |
Geographical skills |