A note to pupils

Dear pupils of HPS
 
Just a quick message to say that we are all missing you and are wishing you well. Try and enjoy the Easter break and don’t eat too much chocolate!
 
Remember:
 
• Stay at home.
* Stay safe.
* Wash your hands.
 
Take care
All the staff at HPS

Learning from home photos

Dear parents and carers

We hope you have found the home learning resources easy to use this week as well as accessing other resources that are available. The teachers would love to see any photos of your child completing their home learning and any other learning opportunities they have accessed.

Teachers will be emailing parents on a weekly basis to touch base and you may wish to respond with a photo to celebrate some of the home learning you and your child have been doing. Please note that this isn’t compulsory and there is absolutely no pressure to do so. We will then celebrate some of these on our Facebook page.

We will only use photos of children where you have already agreed to their photo being used in the media. If you don’t want us to use your child’s photo, please make that clear in your email. More home learning resources will be added to the website on Monday 13th April.

Take care and stay safe.

Miss Higginson

How to talk to children about Coronavirus

If your child is asking questions about Coronavirus and the current situation and you’re not sure how to answer them, there are some great articles and video clips from CBBC’s Newsround.

The information is reported in a way that makes it easy for them to understand what is going on in the world at the moment. Take a look at https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround.

You can also visit the Home learning resources page here for a handy guide on how to talk to children about Coronavirus.

Home learning update

Firstly, thank you for all the positive and supportive comments and emails that many of you have sent to the school over the past week. The current health crisis is certainly a unique situation for schools and we are glad to be able to work closely with you to enable the children at HPS to continue with their learning and not allow large gaps to develop in their knowledge and skills during these tricky times.

Here are some tips that we hope you will find useful. However, we also impress upon everyone to follow the latest government advice, which is currently:

  • to go out only if absolutely necessary (you may go out and exercise once a day e.g. walk in the park if it’s not busy) and not meet with other children or adults who live outside of your family home.
  • Observe social distancing and stay at least 2 metres away from other people.
  • Remember to wash hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds.

Working from home

Trying to keep a routine is important, as children of school age will be used to a daily schedule. Children often thrive on routine and predictability, and this is especially important when the world is changing around them. You may find drawing this out as a timetable supports your child(ren) in understanding what is happening through the day.

What can you do to help your child?

We would like your child to complete learning activities on each day that they would normally be at school.  Learning sessions should be much shorter than if your child were at school. This is because you will be working with your child on a 1:1 basis and so learning will be more intense. A balance of learning and fun is important. Your child’s teacher has set work for them to complete which can be found here.

If you have to do work yourself, make sure you give your child/children something they can do for half an hour by themselves, preferably while you’re in the same room (depending on their age). Then take a break with them – go for a walk (if you’re not self-isolating), play a game, do some schoolwork that they need your help with, read a book together. Give them your undivided attention for short bursts of time.

Then give them a drink and snack and set them up with their own work or task so you can try to get in another half an hour of work. However, keep it flexible, mix it up, and avoid looking at COVID-19 related-news in front of them. If they ask a question about it, again, keep it simple and stick to the facts – we have added links to our website of good ways to inform them.

A suggestion of how your weekday could look.

9am – Joe Wicks workout 30 mins – see his live stream on his YouTube channel. He is running a daily PE session.

9.30am – drink and rest.

9.45am 30 mins – reading share a story. Hear your child read – or you read to your child and then discuss tricky words or ask them to explain the story to you. Practise key words.

10.15amplaytime –run around in the garden and have a drink. (Wash hands when you come back in).

10.30am – 30 mins of maths – see work set by school or multiplication work and games.   Use TT rockstars, My Maths or Topmarks maths. Children might like to make their own double-sided cards with the times table question on one side and answers on the other.

11ambreak. Have a healthy snack and time to play.

11.20am play a board game together (Using a dice and counting spaces is also a good fun way to practise some simple maths).

11.55amspelling practise. Choose 5 words and learn them by writing them out, covering them, writing them again – or using different coloured pens to write each letter. Practise writing them in interesting sentences. (The next day, check – can they still remember these spellings? And then learn 5 more).

12.15pmlunchtime and play. Following the latest advice from the government

1.15pmTV time (If you are looking for something educational, search online for Horrible Histories or BBC teach.)

2pm – school project or task set by teacher. You may have an activity pack from school or have tasks set by your child’s class teacher on the Heathcoat Primary School website.

3.15pmfree time. Perhaps ask your child to help prepare a meal with you for the family.

It’s about getting a balance, having a structure and integrating some fun.

The most important thing in home schooling is family relationships. Many siblings will not be used to being together all day, and it is a lovely opportunity to build and strengthen your family relationships.  Take time to slow down, as you do not have to rush around or juggle different commitments. There may also be a few bumps in the road, but if things are not going well, change the plans, go for a walk (if symptom free and in line with advice from the governement) or put on a film to watch together.

Click here for some links to information about accessing some reading books/reading material, along with other useful info to help you.

It is important for parents who are at home to think about their own mental health. Children are looking to us to lead the way and provide them with stability and we know that can be tough.  If you need some time out, have 5 minutes to yourself, read a book, do a free 3-minute meditation or open a window and take 10 deep breaths. Use Skype or Whatsapp to keep in touch with loved ones who you cannot see in person.

Look after yourselves, keep healthy (and washing hands), keep the learning fun and be kind to each other. Thank you, once again, for your support.

Best wishes from all the staff at HPS.

Easter provision

As you are aware the government has asked schools to remain open over the Easter holiday where possible to provide provision for children of critical key workers only.

School staff have very kindly volunteered to come into school during the Easter holidays to provide this provision. We are hoping to be able to offer provision for both weeks of the holiday, but this is subject to change due to the staffing available.

The DfE advise that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. Note we have also put links on our website and Facebook page to help you to identify who is a key worker. Guidance on which key workers are able to access this provision requires interpretation, but broadly speaking you need to meet the following criteria.

You have children who attend a school impacted by the UK Government closure announcement and:

  • you need to go to work to carry out essential duties as a key worker or need to work from home where it’s not possible to continue working, as you’ll have very young children at home.
  • you have exhausted all other sustainable childcare options as an alternative to schools (in line with the most recent advice from the government).

It’s important to note that this guidance and support is in place as a last resort only. Priority will be given to those responding directly to the coronavirus threat, such as National Health Service workers. Therefore, even those classified as key workers may not necessarily receive school places.

Only those who can answer “yes” to being a key worker and the two questions above should contact the school to request provision. The decision on whether we can provide this for you will be made by the head teacher. Be aware that we have to make tough decisions in this regard, based on the information available to us at this time.

In the first instance please email demelzahigginson@heathcoat.devon.sch.uk explaining how you meet the criteria above, the name and contact details of your employer, when you require places and your contact details. Provision would be available from 8.45am to 3.15pm, starting on this coming Monday. If you require provision for next week then please email ASAP to request places, and if you require provision for the second week of Easter, then please email by Wednesday 1st April at noon.

Important message for key workers about school provision during closure

As a school we are required to provide provision during normal school hours during the current closure to children of key workers who have an essential service to provide which makes it impossible for them to provide care for their children themselves as a family. The DfE advise that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. Note we have also put links on our website and Facebook to help you identify as a key worker. Guidance on which key workers are able to access this provision requires interpretation, but broadly speaking you need to meet the following criteria.

You have children who attend a school impacted by the UK Government closure announcement and:
• you need to go to work to carry out essential duties as a key worker, or need to work from home where it’s not possible to continue working as you’ll have very young children at home.
• you have exhausted all other sustainable childcare options as an alternative to schools (e.g. non-vulnerable partners, family members or trusted friends supporting with childcare, or children at an age when they can stay safely at home on their own).

It’s important to note that this guidance and support is in place as a last resort only. Priority will be given to those responding directly to the coronavirus threat, such as National Health Service workers. Therefore, even those classified as key workers may not necessarily receive school places.

Only those who can answer “yes” to being a key worker and the two questions above should contact the school to request provision. The decision on whether we can provide this for you will be made by the head teacher. Be aware that we have to make tough decisions in this regard, based on the information available to us at this time.

In the first instance please email demelzahigginson@heathcoat.devon.sch.uk explaining how you meet the criteria above, and with your contact details. Provision would be available from 8.45am to 3.15pm, starting on this coming Monday.

Key worker survey for parents/carers

In light of the forthcoming school closure, we’ve sent the below letter to all parents and carers. If you think you may need support from school then please complete the survey listed below.

If you are a key worker, then you may be eligible to send your child to school during the school closure. The school is required to remain open and provide education to children in these circumstances. The school will be open from 8.45am to 3.15pm. We will not be providing breakfast club or after school. If your child is in school they will need a packed lunch as the school kitchen will not be open. Uniform is not required. A board at the entrance will direct pupils where to go and we kindly ask that parents leave the site promptly.

It is important to stress that every child who can stay at home absolutely must, and many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. Every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. However this may not be possible and there is provision to support you.

Unsure if you’re a key worker?

Visit this page for guidance from the Government on what a keyworker is: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Unsure if you’re a key worker that can get support?

Please take the online  survey below which is designed to help families are identifying themselves as keyworkers and get support from the school.  It will also give us an idea of the number of children who may be seeking provision from next week.

Before you complete the survey, please bear these principles in mind:

  • If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
  • If a child needs specialist support, is vulnerable or has a parent who is a critical worker, then educational provision will be available for them. You will already have been contacted regarding this.
  • Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
  • Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.
  • Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings continue to care for children wherever possible.

Click here to take the survey.

Coronavirus update

Update for Friday 20th March

Accessing support letter from Miss Higginson

Key Messages for Schools and Parents

• Schools and the Local Authority are working closely together to ensure we are able to meet the priorities as set out by the government.
• In Devon, we have already taken the approach that for next week (w/c 23rd March) the majority of schools will remain open to provide a safe place for vulnerable children and those of key workers.
• Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children, those with education, health and care (EHC) plans and some others recognised as vulnerable by the Local Authority and school.
• Residential special schools, boarding schools and special settings will continue to care for children wherever possible. Schools will continue to liaise with parents about these arrangements.
• Information about closed schools can be found the on the DCC website. The school will inform parents of alternative arrangements for vulnerable children and key workers should they need to close. The Local Authority will also help co-ordinate this work but the school is the first source of information as local arrangements with other schools are being put in place. A Local Authority contact number will be set up to offer advice to parents.
• Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors. Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home.
• The DfE advise that every child who can be safely cared for at home should be and they request we follow these key principles:

o If it is at all possible for children to be at home, then they should be.
o Parents should not rely for childcare upon those who are advised to be in the stringent social distancing category such as grandparents, friends, or family members with underlying conditions.
o Parents should also do everything they can to ensure children are not mixing socially in a way which can continue to spread the virus. They should observe the same social distancing principles as adults.

• Children with at least one parent or carer who are identified as critical workers by the government can send their children to school if required.
• A list of key workers is provided by the DfE and can be found at this link.
• Schools will be confirming, later today or next week, information regarding parents’ keyworker role and if a parent intends to send their child to school this may include filling in an online form. Please refer to school level information for this.
• Current transport arrangements will continue to be provided for children attending school this week and next week for currently entitled children from the above lists. These will, until after Easter, follow current timetables wherever possible.
• Families will be notified by individual schools or transport providers of any exceptions to the above.
• Information of any changes after Easter will be posted on the DCC website and via schools later next week or over the holidays
• Families are asked to look at individual school websites and their school’s usual communication methods for other local updates and information.
• We are currently working with Early Years settings, special schools and FE colleges and will aim to provide further information for these age groups later today.
• Early years providers will give more information through the early years digest.
• We also aim to publish a list of frequently asked questions.

The DfE have also provided easy to follow guidance to parents on this and a range of issues. The information can be found here.

Parents on the key workers list should follow the first principle of keeping their children at home if it all possible from Monday onwards, and to only send them to school if there is no safe alternative. Please be aware that this is not business as usual. We will, however, do our best to provide continuity of learning for all children whether at home or in school. We are working to an incredibly tight timescale to turn round this provision and we would ask everybody to show patience and understanding in this extremely challenging situation.

Click here for the key worker survey.

Devon County Council Covid19 webpage.

Update for Thursday 19th March:

We are currently making preparations for school closure and are working with the DfE as more guidance and legislation is brought forward. We will keep this page and our website up to date as we know more.

This is an unprecedented situation for all of us, so please be patient and we will keep you informed as best we can.