Download the full PDF letter here.
Dear Parent / Carer,
The work on the school is progressing rapidly. We have our outside classrooms being craned on to the yard over this week and next week. The ground floor classrooms are being made available one by one. I was hoping for the whole school to be back at Willows by 6th February but when I was informed that installation of the outside classrooms would run into next week, I made the decision to continue the education of your children off-site for another week.
I understand this has been a difficult time, but let me take this opportunity to let you know how successful our sessions have been at the different venues. The pupils truly have been a credit to you and the school, I receive daily messages from staff at each venue telling me how fantastic our pupils, your children, are.
It has always been one of my priorities as Headteacher to improve communication between home and school so, in order to answer any questions you may have, I will be holding a meeting for parents in the school canteen at 5pm this evening (Thursday 2nd February). If you are able to make it, please access the canteen from the front of the school.
So that you know where your children are expected to be, these are the arrangements for the week beginning Monday 6th February:
Year 11 Pupils:
These pupils will remain at school this week. Lessons will continue as normal.
Full school uniform is expected and lunch will be provided, free of charge.
Pupils will have the opportunity to prepare for their upcoming examinations, focusing on English, Mathematics and Science, with no distractions and increased support. The ratio of staff to pupils will be 1:10.
Pupils should arrive at the school by 8.30am.
Year 10 Pupils:
These pupils will attend Ocean Park House, East Tyndall Street, CF24 5ET. Full school uniform is expected to ensure that they can be easily identified by our staff.
Pupils will be expected to make their own way to the venue due to its close location. There will be members of staff to greet them at reception and take them to their classrooms. Pupils will be supervised by Willows’ staff at all times. The ratio of staff to pupils will be 1:10.
Year 10 will be working on the global citizenship challenge needed to complete the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification. This is a great opportunity that will release time to focus on their studies later in the year.
Lunch will be provided at the venue, free of charge.
Pupils should arrive at the venue by 9.00am.
Pupils will be dismissed from the venue at 2.50pm, our usual school finishing time.
Year 9 Pupils:
These pupils will attend the SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff, CF11 9XR.
Full school uniform is expected to ensure that they can be easily identified by our staff.
Pupils should arrive at Willows by 9.00am, they will then travel by coach to the Stadium accompanied by Willows’ staff. Pupils will be supervised by Willows’ staff at all times. The ratio of staff to pupils will be 1:10.
Lunch will be provided at the venue, free of charge.
A coach will return the pupils to the school at 2.50pm.
Year 9 will be completing units towards the ‘Sweet’ qualification and working on projects related to civil rights and global citizenship.
Year 8 Pupils:
These pupils will attend Butetown Pavilion, Dumballs Rd, Cardiff CF10 5FE. Full school uniform is expected to ensure that they can be easily identified by our staff.
Pupils should arrive at Willows by 9.00am, they will then travel by coach to the Pavilion accompanied by Willows’ Staff. Pupils will be supervised by Willows’ staff at all times. The ratio of staff to pupils will be 1:10.
Lunch will be provided at the venue, free of charge.
A coach will return pupils to the school at 2.50pm.
Year 8 will be completing units towards the ‘Sweet’ qualification and working on projects related to civil rights and global citizenship.
Year 7 Pupils:
These pupils will attend County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, CF10 4UW. Full school uniform is expected to ensure that they can be easily identified by our staff.
Pupils should arrive at Willows by 9.00am, they will then travel by coach to the venue. Members of Willows’ staff will accompany the pupils on the coach. Pupils will be supervised by Willows’ staff at all times. The ratio of staff to pupils will be 1:10.
A coach will return the pupils to the school at 2.50pm.
Year 7 will be working on a project that will involve civil rights, linking to developing a personal standpoint based on equality issues such as the travel ban that is in the news at the moment.
Please note that the pupil entrance at the back of the school will be closed whilst work is being carried out on the yard. All pupils should enter and leave the school premises through the front entrance.
I ask, as always, that you support the school in reinforcing the need for your child to act safely and responsibly during these visits and to be well behaved at all times.
There have been instances where pupils have been coming to school without black shoes on, please could you especially support us on this issue. We do not want our high standards to drop because pupils are being educated in other areas.
When we have further information, we will continue to contact you via text. We will also post updates on our school app, Twitter account (@willowshigh) and Facebook page (willowshighofficial).
If you require further information about these arrangements, please contact the school on 07463 193130 or using parentvoice@willows.cardiff.sch.uk.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Norman
Headteacher