Covid testing at home

As you are aware the second of the in-school Covid tests have taken place this week. The students have been fantastic, which has helped the testing process to run extremely well and quickly. As a reminder, we contact parent/carers of any student testing positive immediately, you will not receive notification if the result is negative.

In line with the government’s approach to reopening schools, the responsibility for testing once again moves to the students and you as parents for completing the tests at home. The government guidance is for tests to be completed twice per week with 3–5 days between tests. We would like students to test on Sunday evening and Wednesday evening each week if possible, until further notice.

On Thursday and Friday this week all students will receive home testing packs during form time. Whilst testing is not compulsory we would appreciate it if as many students as possible complete the tests. If your child is not taking the test due to being positive in the last 90 days or for other reasons, then simply do not complete the test, we do not need to be specifically contacted.

The students have become proficient in swabbing themselves, with the aid of a mirror, but they may not have completed the actual testing. There are instructions in the pack, but this video link demonstrates the process in full. Once you have completed the test and waited for 30 minutes for the result to confirm, you should log the result on the government website: www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result

The data are not shared with school, so we have been asked by the government to also hold our own testing data, to allow us to order further batches of testing kits. Each time you complete a test we would be grateful if you could complete this very quick form: Reporting results

If your child tests positive then, in line with the guidance on home testing, you should book for them to take a PCR test asap to confirm the result. Please contact us via telephone and email to covidtrack@lymmhigh.org.uk as soon as the home test comes back positive and again once you have received the result from the PCR test.

For any other queries related to testing, or if you have issues reporting a result using the Microsoft form, please email covidtrack@lymmhigh.org.uk (Please note that this is a different email address from the one used for contact in relation to the recent in-school testing.)

Thursday 12th August – GCSE Results Day

Students can collect their results from the Sports Hall from 8:30am, entering through the Leisure Centre main entrance. We will allow students only on site, so if you are accompanying your son/daughter to school, we kindly request you stay in your vehicles. Parking will be available on both the Sixth Form car park and the Leisure Centre car park.

Further information can be found here.

For students wanting to join us from other schools, please collect your GCSE results from your current school and then bring these to enrol with us. Enrolment will happen in the library at the front of school, there will be signs to direct you. We will only be processing enrolment for external students from 11-12pm. If you are away on results day, please email hjennings@lymmhigh.org.uk to confirm your subject choices. You will also be required to send through receipt of your results.

Results day support for parents and carers

The National Careers Service is delivering a series of webinars for parents and carers whose children are receiving results this August to give advice on options and tips for helping their child prepare for results day.

Choose one of the dates below and click the ‘book your place’ link to sign up.

Friday 30th July, 12pm – book your place
Tuesday 3rd August, 4pm – book your place
Wednesday 4th August, 12pm – book your place

Uniform expectations

Dear Parent/Carers

It’s that time of year again for me to send a timely reminder about uniform expectations and high standards of uniform and appearance for September 2021. As always, I ask that before purchasing any new items of uniform, please check the guidance on the school website, or seek advice from the school shop. Following the guidance avoids any difficult conversations in September resulting from the purchase of uniform that is not acceptable or appropriate. As a guide, I suggest if you are not sure then do not buy it, and certainly try to avoid being pressured by your child into buying items of uniform that are not accepted; this is particularly important when choosing an appropriate pair of school shoes.

The main uniform discussion points each year are:

  • School Shoes – All students must wear a conventional shoe which is polishable. Trainer-style shoes or footwear with logos are not appropriate school uniform and not permitted.
  • School Skirts – Inevitably students grow so please check the length of girls’ skirts before returning. The school skirt should sit just above the knee.

The intention of the uniform policy is to promote pride and responsibility in our students in preparation for adult life and to ensure equal opportunity without extremes of fashion. We take great pride in our uniform and appearance and our high standards and expectations require all pupils to wear their full uniform correctly at all times. Having a clear policy and sticking to it also drastically reduces the amount of time wasted with constant debates about what the policy should be or what exceptions students want us to make. Having the support of parents, as always, goes a long way to reducing the number of conversations we have to have about uniform and appearance and supports the smooth running of the school. I therefore ask for your support in ensuring all students are in the correct school uniform from September. This includes:

  • Shoes – no trainers/trainer-style footwear/no logos
  • Coats should be dark in colour
  • No hoodies
  • No jewellery
  • No piercings
  • Discreet natural make-up: no false nails, no false eyelashes, clear nail varnish only, eyebrows should be natural
  • Hair should be neat and conventional with no extreme styles. No haircuts shorter than a grade 2. Hair colour should be natural.

This year we have trialled a uniform recycling scheme and have had many items of good quality uniform handed in for re-use. If you would like to enquire about these and find out what is available, please email Miss Beck (nbeck@lymmhigh.org.uk). All items are available free of charge.

Kind regards
Mr Thompson