Statement from the Headteacher (26th May 2020)

Final Half-term: Covid-19 Update

I am writing to confirm our arrangements for the final half-term of this academic year. This half-term is normally packed with activities, trips, assessments, rewards, reflection, prayer, sports and everything we can squeeze in prior to breaking up for the summer. Unfortunately, following government guidelines and Covid-19 we must plan differently and endeavour to make the best of what is feasible.

From my previous letter you will be aware that from Monday 1^st June 2020 we will be running timetabled face-to-face learning seminars for ALL STUDENTS. This will provide students with approximately 3 hours of live seminars each day (15 hours a week) by subject specialists. A copy of the timetable and student expectations can be found online.

Our expectation is that ALL STUDENTS log on and participate in the online learning seminars. For students who do not attend the learning seminars, there will be contact home to establish the reason for missing the lesson and to look at any ways we can help.  

Should your child be unable to attend a learning seminar, please contact the school on 023 9282 3766 to report this as you would do in a normal absence.

ALL staff are in school and delivering live seminars to support learning and check well-being/safeguarding. The curriculum/lessons being delivered are planned as part of the normal education of students. Should they miss these then there may be gaps in knowledge/progress as we move forward to next year and a return to normality.  

During each seminar there will be 2 staff available. One member of staff will lead the seminar whilst the other will support and answer questions. Each seminar will have a similar approach, as lessons would do when students are here in school.  An indication of this is shown in the expectations of student documents.  During the seminar sessions there will often be some form of task or assessment as would be the case in normal lessons.

To prepare for seminars students need to:

 Have a computer/laptop or phone.

• Familiarise themselves with the timetable.
• Ensure they can log on and access teams (see online student tutorial).
• Have all normal equipment ready to use (packs are available from reception if required).
• Have paper/book to make notes/work in.
• Follow seminar expectations at all times as they would do when in school.
• Complete/participate in all aspects of learning.
• Continue to complete homework tasks. These are to be uploaded/returned and will be marked.

We are still awaiting for the 26 laptops from the government which were specifically for students in KS4 who do not have access to IT.  Should you require the loan of a laptop please email school@saintedmunds.org.uk where we can add your request to our waiting list following the missed deadline of the 22^nd May. We will continue to review how we can support this.

Students are not required to wear uniform and do not need to upload previous home learning tasks. 

School will continue to provide additional home learning work which will compliment the live learning seminars. This will allow further development/independent work and will not be marked.  

Once we have successfully implemented the first stage of ‘Covid Education’ we will review the situation and consider government advice and how we can move further forward. We will contact parents whose children are in Year 10 and survey the view/numbers of children who would like to have some education delivered in school. However, if the current social distancing remains in place, this may result in a reduction in actual learning hours.

Finally, should you have any questions or concerns please contact the school on 023 9282 3766 or email school@saintedmunds.org.uk and they will pass on your queries to the relevant person. School continues to be open between 8.30am and 3pm each day.

We ask for the intercession of St Edmund.

We may not all be gathered together under the one school roof at this time,

but we are united in spirit and care for one another through our faith.

Let us ask St Edmund to be with us this day.

Heavenly Father, as we gather in prayer, we ask for the guidance and inspiration of our school patron, St Edmund, who led a life based on Gospel values and the belief in the power of God.  We pray that like Edmund, each of us will personally come to believe that,

“I can do all things with the help of God who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) and that together, our school community may grow ever closer to you and to one another.  May our school be a place that reaches out to the wider community and is mindful of the environment around us. We pray in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Click here for further information for students on the virtual online learning seminars.