We’re looking forward to welcoming our day and boarding pupils back to classrooms this week for the start of the Autumn term, as lockdown restrictions continue to ease across the UK. Following stringent risk assessments, government regulations and advice, a number of measures have been put in place around our campus to keep pupils, parents, staff and the local community safe, and to ensure the school is Covid-Secure. In addition, Kimbolton has signed up to the Boarding Schools’ Association’s Covid-Safe Charter, a voluntary code to which schools can adhere, and which aims to give confidence to everyone that the school is following all appropriate measures to ensure that boarding is a safe environment for pupils.

Protocols cover ‘year group bubbles’, face coverings when travelling to and from school and when moving between lessons at the Senior School, stringent cleaning and sanitisation, plus alterations to timings within the school day to facilitate greater social distancing. Initially, there will be no after-school activities (other than Kim Club at the Prep School), and only internal sports fixtures at weekends. Our school shop will not be open and the High Street is off limits, even to the Sixth Form.

While some year groups returned to school at the end of last term, for many pupils it will be the first time they have stepped into a classroom since March. Teachers across the school will be on hand to offer support and to ensure pupils understand the new ways of working, ensuring a smooth transition from ‘Virtual’ Kimbolton to on-site learning.

As Headmaster Mr Jonathan Belbin wrote to parents: “As a school, we have kept health and safety as the primary motivator behind our decision-making, aiming to provide a school experience which facilitates both learning and enjoyment.”

• View School Policies, including: COVID-19 Policy; Safeguarding Policy; Post Covid-19 Lockdown Return to School Risk Assessment