January 2021

As part of the national lockdown to bring the new variant of coronavirus under control, schools are required to move to remote learning until at least February half term.

Remote Learning

All students will follow their normal timetable by attending live sessions via Microsoft Teams. For full details of our remote learning provision please click here.

Vulnerable Children / Children of Critical Workers

Forest Hill School remains open to vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. These students should arrive at their normal time, via their usual entry gate. Covid-safe protocols remain in place (Hands, Face, Space) and students will be required to wear their masks at all times.

Lunch is available for students who receive free school meals, and to purchase. General absence should be reported in the usual way to our (24/7) automated absence line: 020 8613 8468. COVID absence should be reported likewise, and test results sent promptly to:  covid@foresthillschool.co.uk

If you fall into the category of critical workers defined by the government here and would like to request a place at school for your child, please complete this form – https://forms.gle/WiLyQtCkAbf65mSu9

Cancellation of 2021 Public Examinations

The Prime Minister has stated that it is ‘not possible or fair for all exams to go ahead this summer as normal’. We await further information from Ofqual about how grades will be awarded but expect that this will include some form of teacher assessment.

Year 11 and Year 13 students should continue to work hard during this lockdown. We will be running Centre Assessment examinations in order to inform any grade information we need to pass on to examination boards. We will communicate directly with Year 11 and Year 13 students and parents when we have more information.

Free School Meal Vouchers

Students who are entitled to free school meals will continue to receive these in the form of vouchers provided by the school. If your financial situation has changed due to the coronavirus pandemic, you may now qualify for free school meals. We encourage all parents and carers to check your eligibility here and to apply if you think you may qualify.

Mass COVID-19 testing

As students begin to physically return to the building (including those attending during lockdown), they will benefit from free and fast Covid tests at school, as will our staff. This is a national scheme being organised by all secondary schools in England. In order to do this, we require parental consent for students to be tested for Covid-19 in school. If you have not already done so, please click here to complete the online consent form.

For further information about Covid testing at school, click here to view the letter sent to parents/carers on 31 December 2020.

Lewisham EP Connect

07377 913538 and 07377 976518

An easy access phone service has been set up for school staff, parents and carers to link with the Lewisham Educational Psychology Team to discuss any concerns about education, learning at home and emotional wellbeing during the current period of school closures.

The phoneline is open during term time on Mondays from 2-5pm and Thursdays from 9.30am-12.30pm. STEPS will complete a phone consultation request form with the caller’s details and this will then be emailed to the educational psychologist on call. It is a ringback service and the EP will aim to call back within that morning or afternoon.

The phoneline will continue up until the Easter Holidays, when it will be reviewed. Click here for further information.

National Advice: Symptoms

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (Covid-19) are recent onset of:

• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature
• a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness. If your child or anyone in the household does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms or by phoning 111.