Dear parent/carer,

You will be aware of the government announcement about additional school closures, and that Richmond upon Thames schools are not reopening to pupils on the 5th January as we are in one of the Contingency Arrangement Areas, where overall infection rates are very high.

Special schools will be remaining open to all pupils at this time. However, Clarendon, along with the other schools in the Auriga Academy Trust, have made the difficult decision to remain closed to pupils for one additional day (Tuesday 5th January), before fully reopening to all on Wednesday 6th January.

This is to allow for the mass testing of all staff, to enable us to arrange cover for those staff who are unable to attend and to give us time to complete our planning and risk assessments for the mass testing of secondary aged pupils when they return (more information on this, and consent forms, will be sent out next week).

I realise that this will be inconvenient for many of you, and am sorry that there is so little notice, but we are having to respond rapidly to fast-changing circumstances and new Government guidance.

I hope that you have remained safe and well over the holiday period, and look forward to welcoming all pupils back into school on Wednesday 6th January.

John Kipps

Executive Headteacher, Clarendon School

Uniform for secondary pupils is available to purchase from reception.