News

Important Update

Dear Parent/Carer(s) 

Thank you for your measured approach as we enter the first period of these restrictions. As you know, there are a few areas that we need to clarify so that we are operating in the safest possible way. 

Attendance  

The government have made it clear that they expect all students to be in school, with exception of those children who are clinically extremely vulnerable. If your child is in this category, please contact Mrs Cooper on vcooper@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk. We are also aware that some students are in households with clinically extremely vulnerable family members, so please feel free to contact Mrs Pyatt (jpyatt@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk) if you would like to talk about anything you feel we can help with.  

Face coverings  

As you know, we are asking that students and staff wear face coverings when they are moving around the building. We have had a good start today, and students have followed our instructions fantastically well, with some lovely coverings on display. Could we please ask that students avoid wearing snood or scarf face coverings. We would really prefer ‘proper’ face coverings that fully cover the nose and mouth. If there are any issues, or you feel that your child should be exempt from wearing a face covering, please e-mail Mrs Cooper on vcooper@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk.  

After-school activities  

Our after-school activities have run throughout the term, and we know many families really value the difference they make to their children’s education. They also make up part of the daily routine and help with childcare from 3.30pm – 4.45pm. This afternoon, the Youth Sport Trust informed us that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are allowing schools to continue extra-curricular sports and activities as part of the wrap-around care, and they are clear about the importance of these activities for young people. The government guidance also states that if these activities are used to support parents/carers with childcare, it is reasonable to continue to run them. Therefore, we are proposing to run our after-school extra-curricular provision, which will be open to all students.  

There are some changes to the programme, and pupils will be able to find the activities list on the Virtual School’s ‘Clubs & Activities’ tab from 5.00pm today, and on the Penryn College Lifestyle Facebook page. We would like to reassure all parents and carers that the activities offered have been assessed again for their safety, and risk assessments undertaken for each club. If you have any questions, please contact Mr Ash on jash@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk.  

GCSE revision programme  

The government have confirmed that after-school activities related to education are allowed. This means our Year 11 after-school revision classes will continue next week. Students can find these on the Year 11 Showbie group.  

There are also areas where we could do with your help:  

Transport to and from school  

Please can we remind everyone that students are required by law to wear a face covering on the buses and trains; this is being reported as a particular issue on the trains.  

COVID-19 testing and notification  

A reminder that if you, your child, or someone in your household has a COVID-19 test, you must not send your child into school while you await the results. If your child is absent because they have COVID-19 symptoms, or is waiting for a test, please let the school know. When you have received the results, either positive or negative, again, please let us know.   

During school hours (Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 4.00pm) please phone the school number on 01326 372379. If you cannot get through immediately, please use our out-of-hours e-mail address: covid@penryn-college.cornwall.sch.uk and we will get back to you. Please also remember that if anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, your child must follow the guidelines and self-isolate.  

Coats  

We have had another week of fine weather, but next week looks a bit different! The best way to protect students and staff is to have students outdoors to move around the school, but they do need waterproof coats and to be warm enough. Thank you for your help on this so far, and fingers crossed for as many dry days as possible!  

Thank you  

Thank you for all your continued support. We look forward to making the very best of this difficult time. As always, your feedback is really appreciated, and if there is anything we can do to help, please let us know.  

Paul Walker  

Headteacher