If you have any queries about the return to school in September, please read these FAQs first. We hope these will answer most questions. If you haven’t found the answer you require, please submit your query using this form.
Important Information
Covid-19 Related Absence from school – a Quick Guide for Parents
Protocol for Visitors to Cambourne Village College
How do I notify the school of symptoms within the household?
Please use the following link to inform the School of either pupil symptoms or symptoms within the household.
Once your results have come back, and before your child can return to school, please either call the main Reception or email thecollege@cambournevc.org to let us know.
What are the start/finish times?
Year 7: 8.30am - 2.50pm
Year 8: 8.30am - 2.55pm
Year 9: 8.30am – 3.00pm
Year 10: 8.20am - 2.55pm
Year 11: 8.30am - 3.00pm
Do I have to send my child to school?
It is a legal requirement that children attend school. We cannot grant requests for pupils to work remotely from home while remaining on the school roll, because staff are concentrating on teaching high-quality lessons in school, rather than producing on-line lessons to cover long-term absence. As ever, we are providing learning to cover pupils’ short-term absences and of course, are catering for the very small number of pupils with exceptional medical circumstances.
The Department for Education have now updated their guidance to advise that pupils who have been identified by their doctor as still considered clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV), should not come into school or college.
If your child is of compulsory school age, and does not fall into the ‘Clinically Extremely Vulnerable’ category, you have a legal duty to send your child to school. Our school is Covid-19 compliant. Please see these documents for more information:
Attendance and Absence Guidance - DfE
I'm anxious about my child attending school. Is there someone I can talk to?
Please contact us via your child's year team if you, or your child are anxious about the return to school. Year group contact details can be found here. Most staff are currently on their summer break but support will be available towards the end of the holiday and from the beginning of term.
Do I have to send my child to school even if someone at home is displaying Covid-19 symptoms?
It is imperative that your child (and the rest of the household) self isolates in accordance with government guidance, and that you contact NHS England. You must contact school immediately if your child or a member of your household develops symptoms: report the absence and your child may not return until the required period of self-isolation has been served. You will not need to report the absence every day during the notified quarantine period.
Do I need to provide my child with PPE?
As of this half term, we had already requested parents to provide face-coverings for children, along with a plastic bag for storage and hand sanitiser to use before putting on or removing the mask. The Government has now made face-coverings compulsory in communal areas inside school. Please ensure that your child has a correctly fitting mask to wear when moving around inside the school and when standing in queues, with a plastic bag to store it. If your child has a reason to be exempt from this, please contact The Centre or your child’s year team.
Those pupils who wish to wear a mask in lesson time may do so. Masks must not be worn during PE lessons since they inhibit breathing during exertion; all PE venues are highly ventilated or outside.
What is the "bubble system" and how does it and social distancing work at Cambourne VC?
As explained in the information video of July: https://www.loom.com/share/8afd89205ba843b2a49d5c1b4eba801b significant control measures have been implemented. Pupils remain largely within designated year group areas, each having their own discrete classrooms, outdoor areas, toilets and dining facilities. Subject teachers circulate around the pupils’ classrooms and remain in marked-out areas at the front of the room, 2 metres distant from pupils. Pupils are not socially distanced from each other within their area, but are socially distanced from other year groups and from staff, as much as possible. Pupils sit in rows, facing forward. Group work does not take place inside. This is in accordance with the Government’s ‘bubble’ principle which enables rapid identification of contacts if a case of coronavirus occurs. Some classes in Key Stage 4 continue to take place in specialist rooms, cleaned between different bubbles’ use.
An enhanced cleaning regime is in place, with frequently-touched surfaces and toilets prioritised for additional cleaning during the school day.. Records will be kept of seating to assist with Track & Trace.
How is pupil work marked?
We are continuing to use technology to support our teaching. We continue to ask pupils to submit work via their iPads (Yr7-10) and school iPads (Yr11) where possible.
Is my child able to borrow equipment?
It is important that we avoid the sharing of equipment as much as possible. We ask that pupils please attend school with their own pencil cases (and if possible, their own glue and blunt-nosed scissors).
Can my child use/borrow books in school?
Books and resources can be shared within year groups/ bubbles, and we support this with enhanced cleaning. Library books may be borrowed, with books quarantined according to guidance. We also encourage the use of eBooks.
Is there any additional equipment I should provide?
Please could you provide your child with a pair of headphones/earphones with a 3.5mm jack. Masks should be in sealable plastic bags. It would be helpful if all pupils could have a personal bottle of sanitiser, 60% alcohol content.
Extra-Curricular Clubs
Unfortunately, recreational clubs after school, even within year group bubbles, have to stop. We’ll reinstate these as soon as we can. Extra lessons, revision activities and after-school detentions will continue as normal.
Can I still attend Community Classes at the College?
These have nearly all had to stop again. We’ll reopen for the community as soon as we can.
What is the plan for the return to school from September?
A comprehensive video has been created by Mrs Coates, Principal - access the video [or presentation]
The following documents may also be useful:
September Pupil Information Presentation
Attendance and Absence Guidance - DfE
Cambourne Village College
Sheepfold Lane, Cambourne
Cambridge CB23 6FR
Tel: 01954 284000
Email: thecollege@cambournevc.org
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Cambourne Village College is an academy of The Cam Academy Trust, a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with company number 0749 1945.
The registered office is at Comberton Village College, West Street, Comberton, Cambridgeshire, CB23 7DU
