Dear Parents and Carers

As you may be aware from media headlines, the number of young people choosing to use vape devices has increased, including in the Shropshire and the wider, local area. Sadly, we have also had reports of a small number of pupils bringing these items into school.

This is a concern to us as a school, due to potential immediate dangers and side effects, as well as the unknown long-term health risks.  We continue to educate students on these risks through Assemblies and PSHE sessions and wish to draw your attention to the following website, designed to support young people, parents and carers, if they regularly use a vape device.

https://teen.smokefree.gov/quit-vaping

It is illegal for stores to sell vaping products to under 18s.  Worryingly, we have become aware that some children are attempting to buy vapes in Shrewsbury and then sell them onto friends.

The following links will take you to a BBC article showing the characteristics of legal and illegal equipment and to Trading Standards where any shops selling to underage children can be reported.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-64319417

Mr Hartshorn, Acting Assistant Head, took an assembly last year, outlining the school’s approach to students who bring these devices into school.  Our stance is clear; such devices must not be brought or used on site, and there will be serious sanctions for those who do so.

We very much appreciate your support and would ask you to please discuss our concerns with your child/children, highlighting the health issues around vaping and the potential consequences of vaping in school.

Kind regards

Dr Tinker
Headteacher

Dear Parents and Carers

Plans for 1st February 2023 – NEU (National Education Union)

As a follow up to the communication yesterday about the industrial action of the National Education Union on the 1st February 2023 and having reviewed the likely staffing position tomorrow, again this morning, I would like to confirm the arrangements for tomorrow. I apologies for the lateness of this but I’m sure you understand it has been an emerging picture.

School will be closed tomorrow for pupils in years 9 and 10.

We will be offering places in school for our vulnerable children and children of critical workers, who will be able to complete online learning tasks. To book a place for pupils in Year 9 and Year 10 please email CriticalKeyWorker@corbetschool.net with the pupil’s name and form by 8.30am on Wednesday 1st February. We aim to minimise the impact on learning, as much as possible, and year 9 and 10 teachers who are in school will be setting work on Satchel:One for pupils to complete. Pupils in Year 9 and 10 will need to check Satchel at the start of each lesson to see if they have any work to complete. Staff not taking industrial action will be able to respond to messages on Satchel during their timetabled lesson.

Year 7, 8 and 11 will be in school as normal on this day, and they will follow their normal timetable. We may need to make adjustments, on the day, due to unexpected staff absences but will aim to run the timetable as normally, as possible. As a contingency, could all pupils please bring their PE kit and reading book into school.
School transport will run as normal.

Thank you for your understanding and support; we will do our very best to make sure that tomorrow runs as smoothly as possible. We will write to you with further information regarding the future strikes over the coming weeks.

Yours sincerely

Dr Jane Tinker
Headteacher

Proposed industrial action Wednesday 1^st February 2023

As you are probably aware the NEU intends to call upon its members to take part in industrial action consisting of strike action on Wednesday 1^st February.  The school are constantly reviewing the staffing situation.  At this stage we intend to be fully open but this situation could change subject to staff absence.  The school are fully committed to giving as much notice as possible.

As a contingency we would ask that ALL students bring their PE kit on Wednesday.

If the situation changes, we will advise you as soon as possible.

Kind regards,
Dr Jane Tinker,
​Headteacher

Dear Parents / Carers,

Unfortunately, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel the planned Christmas Carol Service at All Saint’s Church tomorrow evening, Wednesday 14^th December.  Students will still be given the opportunity to perform to a school audience but sadly we will be unable to have members of the public at the performance.

The performance will be during the school day and all students participating will return home on normal school transport at 3.20pm.

Kind regards,
The Corbet School

CFA Christmas Bingo – Thursday, 08.12.22 – CANCELLED

Dear parents / carers

I am writing to inform you that we now have approximately 10 confirmed cases of scarlet fever in pupils at school.
We have been advised by Public Health not to hold events involving members of the public on the school site currently. Unfortunately, we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone the Christmas Chocolate Bingo this evening. Money paid towards ticket prices will be refunded in due course.

At this stage, Public Health have advised us the school should remain open, but if you think you or child have scarlet fever, you should:
• see your GP or contact NHS 111 as soon as possible
• make sure that you/your child takes the full course of any antibiotics prescribed by the doctor.
• stay at home, away from nursery, school or work for at least 24 hours after starting the antibiotic treatment, to avoid spreading the infection.

Over the remainder of the school term, we will enhance cleaning of surfaces, make hand sanitiser available, and encourage hand hygiene to avoid the spreading of infection.

Although scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, it should be treated with antibiotics to minimise the risk of complications and reduce the spread to others.

The symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. This is followed by a fine red rash which typically first appears on the chest and stomach, rapidly spreading to other parts of the body. On more darkly-pigmented skin, the scarlet rash may be harder to spot, but it should feel like ‘sandpaper’. The face can be flushed red but pale around the mouth.

Complications
Children who have had chickenpox recently are more likely to develop more serious infection during an outbreak of scarlet fever and so parents should remain vigilant for symptoms such as a persistent high fever, cellulitis (skin infection) and arthritis (joint pain and swelling). If you are concerned for any reason please seek medical assistance immediately.

If your child has an underlying condition which affects their immune system, you should contact your GP or hospital doctor to discuss whether any additional measures are needed.

Should the situation or Public Heath advice change, we will inform you as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely

Dr Jane Tinker
Headteacher