Dear Parent/ Carer,

 

RE: Easter- School Update

 

We are now in to the second week of the national ‘lockdown’ and I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents for your tremendous support with children’s learning at home. It is not an easy combination juggling home working and home learning, I know!

 

If you have not managed to create a rhythm or structure to home learning yet, don’t worry. There is no pattern or routine that works for every situation, and most families will be working out a system that suits them.

 

We have deliberately not set out expectations for the time that children need to be involved in home learning each day. All we simply ask is that children are encouraged to work each day and that wherever they can they share their work on our blog. We would also recommend that you continue some form of home learning through the Easter period. We believe there are great behavioural and well-being benefits to having a daily routine in this situation.

 

Reviewing children’s work

 

We have been delighted with the number of children who have been sharing their work on our blog page. It is great to see the application and creativity that our children are showing. Teachers will interact with this page and acknowledge children’s efforts. However, they are not in a position to mark or provide detailed feedback to children. If you have any questions or would like assistance with teaching methods, please do not hesitate to contact our teachers via the contact page which is within each year group page on our website.

 

Work Packs

 

We have been asked by some parents whether we will be sending out further work packs to the children. We will not be sending home anything else prior to Easter. There will be work and learning challenges within the year group pages of our website and on our blog.

 

We will be watching carefully how this crisis situation unfolds. If it is apparent that schools will remain closed for an extended period after Easter, we will review our home learning programme and send out further work packs.

 

Learning in School

 

Learning in school is continuing with a small group of key worker children. If you are unsure if you are a key worker or if your child could qualify to come in to school, please contact the school office. We are here to make sure children are safe and that key workers can carry out their crucial roles effectively.

 

Well-being and Mental Health

 

We know that the mental health of all of us is being affected by this crisis. This can include some of our children too. If you or your child needs help we are running a school outreach service. The aim of this service is to help families maintain a positive and supportive conversation with school. We want to provide the following:

 

• A helpful and sympathetic ear
• Ideas for games and fun home activities
• Advice on home routines and managing behaviour
• Advice on issues relating to finances and food

 

Members of the school leadership team are administering the programme and can contact you via a telephone call each week.

 

To arrange to speak to a member of the team please email k.manston@wootey-jun.hants.sch.uk or phone the school office. The school is open during the Easter period and there should be someone available to answer calls between 9am to 12pm each day. Please leave a message on the answer phone if we do not pick up your call. We will call you back.

 

If, at any time, you have concerns for the safeguarding of a child please do not hesitate to contact us or Hampshire Children Services on 0300 555 1384

 

I would like to wish you all a Happy Easter and hope that you all keep safe and well.

 

Best wishes,

 

Mr O’Brien

Headteacher