Sheffield school extends summer term as it reopens for all pupils

Mercia School, in Millhouses, will be welcome back all its pupils on a ‘rotation basis’ before summer and said it has extended the current term to allow every eligible child to experience two weeks of ‘crucial teaching time’ by Friday, July 31.

The school initially opened its doors in September 2018 with 120 Year 7 pupils and is growing incrementally over five years – meaning currently only children in Years 7 and 8 are in attendance.

The Year 7 cohort returned for the first time since lockdown on Monday, July 6, and will attend on alternate weeks to those in Year 8, who will have their first day back on Monday, July 13.

Headteacher Dean Webster said: “Mercia School is open to eligible children in Year 7 and Year 8. We have extended the summer term until 31st of July, so our children can receive vital learning from our excellent teachers.

“Resuming lessons provides essential routines and much needed support for our children and families. We are really happy to serve our community in this way. I would like to thank parents for all their support.

Pupils will be placed in at least nine classes of no more than 15 children and will be allocated a classroom which they will stay in all day, other than at break and lunchtime.

Teachers will rotate within small groups and will provide lessons in line with the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects, including English language and literature, maths, and science.

This will allow students to catch up on parts of the curriculum that have been missed and enable staff to teach new content, something which the school says will “put Mercia pupils at an advantage.”

In a letter to parents, Mr Webster said: “Pupil and staff safety is paramount.

“In the event of a positive case I will close affected groups down as an immediate precaution and inform you. This would be precautionary only.

“Please refer to the school website for details of the safety measures we have put in place.”

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