3rd January 2021

Dear Parent/Carers,

HT’s Communication Week – Spring Term 2021

SNS Home Learning commences for all year groups from Tuesday 5 January as per the normal school timetable. Please find here a link to our SNS Remote Learning Policy also available on our website here.

  • At SNS, from Tuesday 5 January, students in all year groups will receive online remote learning following the school’s usual timetable.
  • From Monday 11 January, Year 11 and Year 13 will resume face-to-face teaching on site, whilst Years 7-10 and Y12 will receive online remote learning.
  • As of Monday 18 January, all year groups will be on site, for face-to-face teaching.
  • All planned external examinations will continue as planned, these include BTEC Sport(Y12) and CAMNAT Sport (Y10).


On Monday 4 – Wednesday 6 January on each afternoon from 2pm-3pm, Mr Bynoe (Deputy Headteacher - Remote Learning) will lead parent sessions to advise and support parents in readiness for the online learning, held on Microsoft Teams. The session on Monday will be primarily for Year 7 Parent/Carers, as this will be the first time many of you will be experiencing online learning since joining SNS.

  • A link for the Year 7 parent/carer session for Monday 4 January at 2.00pm is here
  • A link for the all-year group parent/carer session for Tuesday 5 January at 2.00pm is here
  • A link for the all-year group parent/carer session for Wednesday 6 January at 2.00pm is here


I would be grateful if you could reinforce our expectations that students should be sitting at a well-lit desk or table, preferably using headphones, and with the camera on and background blurred. Whilst we understand connection issues sometimes make video impossible, it is very helpful for teachers to be able to monitor engagement. Teachers will be setting a variety of tasks – so students will not be expected to be staring at the screen all day – but may need to be visible even when completing manual tasks.

If you have any issues with IT, please contact the IT Helpdesk by emailing sysaid@sns.hackney.sch.uk during the school day, we aim to respond to you within an hour. Please include: Student name, parent contact number, issues they are facing and your device type and platform (Windows, Apple, Android).

School Mass Testing

As you are aware the mass testing offer is a way to keep our school as safe as possible by identifying asymptomatic cases. As with the Mobile Testing Unit offer, these tests are optional, and we would need parental consent for your son/daughter to be tested. Please complete the form, even if you do not consent to the testing, ensuring the form is completed separately if you have multiple children at SNS.

Please find a link to the consent form here.
We ask that if your child is in Year 11 and 13, to please complete this as soon as possible.

Further information on Lateral Flow Devices and data protection frequently asked questions linked to the tests can be found here.

Thank you to parents/carers who have volunteered to support in administering the tasks associated with the tests. It is very much appreciated. My PA, Sophie Preedy, will be in touch with you shortly, please do look out for her email. If you still wish to volunteer, please email admin@sns.hackney.sch.uk

Safety Protocols

The guidance states that “throughout, all children and young people should continue to comply with the rules set out for the tier they are in, and parents are asked to help ensure their children are following those rules. That particularly includes those related to mixing with other households when they are not at school and when they are travelling to and from educational settings."

I know the present level of uncertainly is worrying and unsettling. Structure and routine is key to keeping a good sense of wellbeing. Being connected with peers and teachers will also support our young people at this challenging time. If you are worried about the wellbeing of your child, please contact your child’s form tutor or Head of Year.

I wish you all the very best as we start our new term. I thank you for all your continued support. The kind messages and the offers of help are very much appreciated.

With best wishes,


Zehra Jaffer