Update 16.04.2020
16th April 2020
Dear Parents and Carers
I hope that you’ve been keeping well and have been able to enjoy some of the sunshine. Whilst the longer-term re-opening of schools remains undecided, we have some updates for you about the next weeks:
School for Critical Workers’ Children
We will be offering Key Worker School again from Monday 20 April. (Please note that this is a staff training day: working from home for all other pupils starts again on Tuesday 21st) If you work in one of the roles critical to managing the COVID-19 outbreak and wish to enrol your child, please complete the form on this link:
Please note that you need to complete this form, even if your child has previously attended. Pupils will be supervised in school from 9.00 to 3.00pm. They will need to bring a packed lunch; school uniform is not necessary. Please return the form as soon as possible and no later than 6.00pm on Saturday.
Working from Home for Pupils
Years 7 – 10: For the first four days of next term we will continue with the timetable of 4 lessons per day, plus reading and PE time. We go back on Week B. From Monday 27 April, we will move to a timetable of 3 lessons per day for Years 7, 8 and 9, plus reading, PE and some optional activities. From this point, Year 9 pupils will move to a timetable more broadly based on their option choices for next year, in order to maintain motivation over the coming weeks. Year 10 will continue with their current timetable.
Year 11: We have been working on arranging Year 11 pupils into groups according to their identified studies Post 16, and have been in communication with our Post 16 providers. We will be putting in place some relevant studies for our students in order to provide bridging activities for their future courses, and Year 11 tutors will be making contact with them over the next weeks. Our main focus over the coming weeks will be on ensuring that the Yr 11 exam results grading process is done as carefully and thoroughly as possible in line with OFQUAL requirements.
Difficulties Managing
We’re aware that on top of the lockdown keeping people in their homes, some families are coming under acute financial pressure at present. Please see the attached letter from Cambridge County Council for information on whether you now might qualify for free school meals, and how to apply. The next instalment of Free School Meal vouchers for families already registered with us will hopefully be sent to you on Monday 20th April. The school can also make recommendations for Cambourne Food Bank vouchers for families in need. Please email Mrs Popplewell in confidence: vpopplewell@cambournevc.org if you would like more information on this.
The Local Authority has asked for some information to be shared with you:
See attached poster: Identifying signs of ill health in children
Support for children of Single parent families where the parent has themselves fallen ill
The NSPCC is available to support single parent families who are worried about the impact of the coronavirus, on their families. Go to https://www.nspcc.org.uk/search/?query=CORONAVIRUS for general advice. Families can also find a wide range of support in leaflets and contacts here. ‘Gingerbread – single parents, equal families’ also has advice and helplines for parents to use. https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/coronavirus/.
Children left at home on their own
There is national guidance for parents in the document - Closure of educational settings: information for parents and carers
It provides government advice on the law on leaving children unattended. There is no law about when a parent can leave your child on their own but it is an offence to leave them alone if it places them at risk. Parents should use their judgement on how mature their child is before they decide to leave them at home. Parents can be prosecuted if they leave a child alone ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’. The NSPCC recommends that children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for a long period of time, children under 16 should not be left alone overnight and babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone.
Children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
The DfE has published updated guidance on school closures. All NHS mental health trusts are setting up 24/7 helplines, and seeking to use digital and virtual channels, to continue delivering support during the pandemic. Social connections, alongside exercise, sleep, diet and routine are important protective factors for mental health. Public Health England has also published guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health.
Digital support includes:
· Minded educational resources for adults about children and young people’s mental health, which is relevant for teachers, other professionals working with children, volunteers, parents and carers
· the Every Mind Matters platform, from Public Health England, about looking after your mental health
· Rise Above, targeted at young people, which also has schools-facing lesson plans
Sorry for the bombardment of information. I hope you can enjoy the rest of the holiday.
Take good care of yourselves,
Claire Coates
Principal
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