Coalville's secondary schools have confirmed most pupils will have their new year return delayed by a further two weeks.

In a letter to parents and carers, Julia Patrick, CEO of the Apollo Partnership Trust

and Executive Secondary Headteacher at The Newbridge School and Castle Rock, outlined what will happen.

The change came about when much of the country, including Leicestershire, was put into Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions and Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for Education, also announced new plans.

The CEO's letter says: "I thank you again for your continued support and understanding. We will navigate our way through this terrible situation."

It adds: "At the end of last term, we wrote to you explaining the plans for the beginning of next term.

As we have all seen on the news, North West Leicestershire will be placed into Tier 4 as of midnight on Wednesday. In addition:

• From Tuesday 5th January (as Monday 4th January is a staff training day):

All secondary students are to work at home, online. This now includes Year 11 and 13 students.

Vulnerable students and the children of critical workers can still attend school where they will follow the online learning on computers, socially distanced, in classrooms.

• From Monday 11th January: In addition to vulnerable students and children of critical workers, Year 11 and 13 students should also attend. This affects The Castle Rock School only.

• From Monday 18th January: All students to return. If you have already contacted The Newbridge School or The Castle Rock School to let us know you are a critical worker - thank you - we look forward to seeing your child on Tuesday 5th January. However, should you not have, let us know you are a critical worker and would like your child to access their online working in school, please email us on the following email addresses:

• The Newbridge School: [email protected]
• The Castle Rock School: [email protected]

"We ask that you please do this by 9.00am on Sunday 3rd January, informing of your child's name, your name, your job title and your employer.

"As I informed you in my letter of 18th December, should your child be considered vulnerable or has an EHCP, then you will be contacted by one of our Student Managers or the SENDCo on Monday 4th January.

"We are still awaiting further information and guidance on the return of our students. The Secretary of State has confirmed that vocational exams will still take place on the first week of term, therefore the information sent to you before Christmas still stands, however, we will keep you updated if this information is changed.

"Could I please ask if you have any urgent questions, you contact [email protected], otherwise please wait for further information which will be sent by our Heads of Schools on Monday 4th January.

"In the meantime, I thank you again for your continued support and understanding. We will navigate our way through this terrible situation. We recognise that the secondary education of the majority of young people of Coalville and its surrounding villages rests on the shoulders of The Apollo Partnership Trust and I am determined Christmas and New Year will not have been how we would have perhaps wanted them to be.

"I know from my own family circumstances and not being able to see some of my own children, how upsetting and difficult it has been.

"However, let us look forward to a peaceful New Year and a bright future.

"I remain very proud to lead The Apollo Partnership Trust, very proud of our staff at Broom Leys, The Newbridge School and The Castle Rock School and of course all of the young people who attend our schools."