A Wicklow School was forced to tell students that they will have to sit their summer exams at home this year following a Covid outbreak.
In a letter to parents, the Principal said: “Due to the growing number of cases in the school, five confirmed since the 3rd May and four of these in the last week, we will be providing an option to all students for next week.”
End of year examinations for 1st, 2nd and 5th year students will be posted on Google Classroom along with detailed instructions from teachers to each of their classes on how to submit their work.
He added: “We are conscious that some students may not have adequate Wi-Fi in their area or ICT facilities.”
In this case, the school said students can attend school and sit their exams in the classroom.
Students in both 3rd and 6th year have completed their coursework for the year, and 3rd years have submitted their classroom-based assessments to their teachers.
The Principal said: “Teachers will be available to students who wish to attend, but they will not be starting any new material as the course is now completed.”
Transition year students were allowed to finish a week earlier than expected as a precaution in combatting the spread of the virus.
He added: “The TY students have been incredibly patient and cooperative despite the obstacles faced this year, and we are very proud of them. We hope they have a safe and enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing them again in September.”
The Principal concluded: “As always and in the interest of everyone's health and safety, please take every precaution to limit the spread of the virus in the community and in the school. If your son/daughter displays any symptoms, please call your GP and follow their advice.
“We must all do everything in our power to enable our Leaving Cert class to sit their examinations in a Covid free environment in June.”
One parent said: “I think the school have made the right call in the interest of all students health and safety. It’s so close to the end of school it would be unnecessary to keep the students in when the course work is already completed.
“It’s great that they considered students who don’t have good Wi-Fi and that they can still use the facilities within the school for their exams.”
