As we come to the end of our final day of closure, we want to ensure everyone feels supported and prepared for the days ahead. Remote learning has been our focus today and we’re grateful to all families who helped students stay engaged. We’ve also been sharing positive student highlights on our social channels throughout the day.

We are pleased to confirm that school will reopen as normal on Monday, with students expected on site between 7.45am and 8.30am.

If your family was affected by the evacuation or you need any additional support this weekend, please reach out to the out-of-hours support, Families First, on 01752 668000 or for information about support, families can contact their local Family Hub https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/family-hubs. For anything else please contact our info@millbayacademy.org inbox and we will get back to you on Monday.

We will continue to stay in contact over the weekend, with further updates scheduled to help everyone feel ready for reopening next week.

Is English not your first language?

The school will reopen on Monday 19th January. For more information, you can copy and paste the message below into Google Translate to read it in your preferred language.

Arabic: هل الإنجليزية ليست لغتك الأولى؟ ستفتح المدرسة أبوابها مرة أخرى يوم الاثنين 19 يناير. لمزيد من المعلومات، يمكنك نسخ هذا النص ولصقه في ترجمة جوجل لقراءته بلغتك المفضلة.

Polish: Czy angielski nie jest Twoim pierwszym językiem? Szkoła zostanie ponownie otwarta w poniedziałek 19 stycznia. Aby uzyskać więcej informacji, skopiuj i wklej ten tekst do Tłumacza Google, aby przeczytać go w preferowanym języku.

Romanian: Engleza nu este prima dvs. limbă? Școala se redeschide luni, 19 ianuarie. Pentru mai multe detalii, copiați și lipiți acest text în Google Translate pentru a-l citi în limba preferată.

Portuguese: O inglês não é a sua primeira língua? A escola reabrirá na segunda‑feira, 19 de janeiro. Para mais informações, copie e cole este texto no Google Tradutor para lê-lo no seu idioma preferido.

Persian (Farsi): آیا انگلیسی زبان اول شما نیست؟ مدرسه در روز دوشنبه ۱۹ ژانویه دوباره بازگشایی می‌شود. برای اطلاعات بیشتر، می‌توانید این متن را در گوگل ترنسلیت کپی و جای‌گذاری کنید تا آن را به زبان دلخواه خود بخوانید.

Ukrainian: Англійська не є вашою рідною мовою? Школа знову відкриється в понеділок, 19 січня. Для отримання додаткової інформації скопіюйте та вставте цей текст у Google Translate, щоб прочитати його бажаною мовою.

Millbay Academy will remain closed on Friday 16 January following advice from the authorities leading the ongoing operation in Millbay.

Remote learning will continue via Google Classroom and pupils should follow the guidance provided by their teachers to ensure learning remains structured and purposeful. Free school meal vouchers for eligible families will be issued tomorrow morning to the priority contact listed on Arbor.

We have been updated that enhanced scanning equipment is arriving on site to support the Royal Navy bomb disposal team as they assess the WWII device and determine the safest next steps.

Official updates can be found on the Plymouth City Council website.

For families living close to the cordon, we understand this situation may feel uncertain, particularly with the possibility of evacuation. Please follow all instructions from the authorities and prioritise your safety. If you are affected or need support, please reach out so we can help signpost assistance and stay in contact.

Our pastoral and safeguarding teams will continue checking in with individual families to ensure pupils feel supported and connected during this period of disruption.

Thank you for your continued patience, understanding and cooperation. Our next update will be shared tomorrow at 11am.

Our school is currently closed following guidance from the police, who are managing an ongoing incident in the local area. We are acting on their direct instruction and will remain closed until we receive confirmation that it is safe to reopen.

Families were sent detailed information yesterday and today, including arrangements for remote learning and expectations for students working from home. Please refer to that communication for full guidance.

We understand that this closure may require families to make alternative arrangements and we are grateful for the patience and support shown across our community. We remain in close contact with the police and other agencies and will continue to share updates as soon as they are available.

If recent events have caused any difficulty for you or your family, support is available through the relevant authorities or you may contact the school via email.

Our Millbay community has shown great strength and unity and we are proud of the way everyone has responded.

For all Plymouth Council Updates click here.

How will remote learning work?

Students should continue their learning from home using their school Google account. Work will be set in line with their normal timetable and can be found in each subject’s Google Classroom under the Assignments section. If your child has difficulty accessing remote learning, please contact their tutor directly.

Please view this helpful video helping you access Google Classroom.

Will free school meals still be provided?

For families in receipt of Free School Meals, e‑vouchers will be sent this morning to the primary guardian email address we hold on our system. When you receive the email, simply open it to access your voucher. It will contain a barcode and give you the option to choose which shop you would like to use it in. Once you have selected your preferred shop, you can present or scan the barcode at the checkout.

When will the school reopen?

At this stage, we do not have a confirmed reopening date. We are taking advice directly from the police and will reopen only when they confirm it is safe to do so. Updates will be shared with families via email and the Arbor App.

Please be aware the school will be OPEN Monday 19th January.

I need help — who should I contact?

• Remote learning questions: Contact your child’s tutor by email.
• General enquiries: Email the school office at info@millbayacademy.org
• Safeguarding concerns: Contact our Safeguarding Team, all direct contacts can be found here.
• Urgent safety concerns: Please see our Safeguarding Guidance here.

What if my child is feeling anxious or unsettled?

It’s natural for students to feel unsettled during unexpected changes. Tutors and pastoral staff are available by email to offer support and guidance. If you feel your child needs additional help, please reach out to us.

How will I receive updates?

All updates will be sent via email and the Arbor App. Please ensure your contact details are up to date.

Does my child need to follow their full timetable at home?

Students should follow their normal timetable as closely as possible but we understand home routines vary. They should work steadily and complete what they can.

What if my child cannot access a device or the internet?

Students can access their usual timetable and learning materials through Google Classroom. All work set is straightforward and can be completed on a range of devices, including mobile phones, laptops, tablets or even games consoles. A mobile phone with mobile data can be a suitable alternative if a laptop is not available.

If you are still struggling to get online, please reach out to our team so we can try to support you.

Are staff still available during the closure?

Yes. Staff are working remotely and are available via email. Tutors, subject teachers and pastoral staff will respond as promptly as they can. Please note that our phone lines cannot be accessed while the site is closed, so all communication must be made through email.

What about students with additional needs or SEND?

Our SEND team remains available to support families. If your child has additional needs and you require guidance, please contact the SEND team via email.

How can I support my child emotionally during this time?

Unexpected changes can be unsettling. Encourage your child to keep a routine, take breaks and reach out to their tutor if they need support. Pastoral staff are also available by email.