Coronavirus update from Ysgol Dinas Bran

19^th March 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I would like to thank you all for your support and patience in these very difficult times. I know this is having a huge impact on the wellbeing of all students, staff and parents. For students in Years 11/12/13 this is a particularly difficult period and very hard to adjust to.

Students are understandably worried about the uncertainty regarding results and we are expecting a statement to be released tomorrow. We hope that this will involve a combination of staff’s professional judgement along with previous internal and external assessments.

The decision to close to all students today was due to the fact that schools have been closed to stop the spread of the virus. We are aware that students wanted to come into school to pick up books etc.However, we were unsure and still remain uncertain as to what evidence will be needed to demonstrate grades for students. Therefore, we request students in Year 11 and 13 to not come to school to collect books and folders.

It was also extremely difficult that students had the feeling that suddenly they had ‘finished’ school and that they may no longer see their friends and peers. I would like to reassure all Year 11 and 13 students that whenever it may be, we fully intend to organise events to all get back together, including the shirt signing and proms etc.

On Friday 20^th March, 2020 we are open to all students whose parents are key workers as defined below. If Year 11 and 13 students have any work at home which could be used as part of assessment, then please can this be returned tomorrow. Any year 12 studentswho would like to come into school to pick up work or upload their files are also allowed to do this tomorrow.

·       National Health Service

·       Armed forces

·       Teachers and childcare staff

·       Care home workers

·       Social workers

·       Police officers, community support, civilian staff

·       Prison officer or other probation staff

·       Firefighters

·       Local authority planners

·       Environmental health officers

·       Highway Agency traffic officers

Transport for Friday is as normal and once we have information we will inform students and parents about transport provision for next week.Please can all students go directly to the

school hall tomorrow to meet staff. 

 An area on the website has been created to update parents and students on work being set and how to access this. This is being developed. Tomorrow, staff are being trained on a new package that has been purchased called GCSE Pod for year 9 and 10 students to use. This package has lots of video

tutoring clips and the ability to set work for students. We are working with GwE and other schools to try to ensure that students studying through the Welsh medium have appropriate quality materials. It is sad and unfortunate that we haven’t yet found the same quality of interactive resources available through the Welsh Language.

While the setting of work for students is important, and will continue, the wellbeing of our students is of the utmost importance. Form tutors will be communicating with their students to fully support them through these challenging times.

Kind regards,

Mr Hatch

Pennaeth