Dear Parent / Carer,
An update for week beginning Monday 5th October.
Contrary to reports in one of the local newspapers, and to our own hopes expressed in our previous update, we will not be able to return to Gilded Hollins just yet. We will, therefore remain at Lowton CE High School for a further week.
Unfortunately, work to remove dozens of metres of overhead ducting, along with a very bulky Air Handling Unit that has to be cut up while still in the ceiling void, has taken longer than originally anticipated. Once this has been completed, ceilings will be replaced and reinstated and then a deep clean of the entire building will be instigated, which will in itself take between two to three days.
In addition, at the time of writing this, we still await the results of the swab tests we were promised by Tuesday this week.
These results are crucial to our decision making. As we have stated from the outset, we will not expose our children, staff and parents to risk.
Thank you, as ever, for your patience and support.
A message from your Chair of Governors
I would like to thank Mr Nash and his staff for their professionalism and their determination to maintain their usual high standards in what could have been a very difficult situation. Mr Nash has managed the situation so very well, proving himself to be an excellent leader, and we are very lucky to have such a committed team of staff supporting him. They are working even harder than usual, to adapt to teaching in a totally different environment so the children continue to learn and progress.
I would also like to thank you for your continued tolerance. It has been wonderful to hear the many comments of support made by you for the way in which the situation is being handled. I can assure you that as soon as we get information Mr Nash passes it on to you. We are very much in the hands of the experts who have been carrying out the tests and the company doing the work at school at the moment, so there is often nothing to report. As Mr Nash has already said, we are still waiting for more results which we were expecting to receive by Tuesday this week. Everything possible is being done to keep life as normal as possible for the children. If anyone wants to discuss the problem with me in person please do not hesitate to contact me via email or school.
Mr Pollard and his staff at Lowton CE High have been wonderful. They could not have been more accommodating, welcoming and supportive. The pupils have also been wonderful with your children, treating them with respect and kindness and displaying impeccable manners. An added bonus of being based at the High School is that your children are able to access specialist facilities such as food technology and art rooms and equipment, so further enhancing their learning experience. I’m sure they will remember this as an adventure. Thank you so much to all at the High School.
Last but certainly not least, thank you to your children, who have taken the change in their stride without breaking step. They are a credit to you and the school and as usual we are very proud of them.
Liz Haworth