Important changes to the start of term

Following information released by the Department for Education yesterday afternoon, there are some important changes to the start of term. A summary of these changes is below, but the full details are in the remote learning guidance document at the bottom of this page and also available on our remote learning webpage here.

When the school term starts on Monday 4^th January 2021, the following arrangements will apply:

 

Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12:

• Students will work from home.
• All staff will work in school. 
• Teachers will set lessons on Google Classroom and will teach live lessons on Google Meet. 
• Students will have remote access to support from Pastoral, Wellbeing and Student Support teams. 

 

Years 11 and 13:

• Students come to school as normal and follow the usual timetable.
• Teachers will teach lessons as normal.

 

Vulnerable students and children of key workers:

Please note that this advice has since been updated and changed. Please read the latest message!

Some students will come to school because they are vulnerable students or the children of critical workers who are not old enough to be at home on their own.  Students in this group will be supervised in school by Cover Supervisors.  They will learn remotely in the same way as students learning from home.

How do I arrange for my child to be in school? 

Your child should only come to school if:

• They are in Year 11 and 13

OR

• You are a critical worker AND there is nobody to supervise your child at home AND your child is not old enough to be at home on their own

OR

• Your child has been identified as vulnerable.

If your child meets the above criteria, please complete the online form here before Monday 21st December.  Please note that students in school will access the same on-line resources as students at home.  There will be no additional face-to-face teaching. 

 

At the moment, we have been told that this will be for the first week of term only and then normal arrangements will return. However, there is always the possibility that this could change; if that happens, we will of course let you know as soon as possible.

We are awaiting further information from the government relating to the role schools will play in testing.

 

Christmas Concert

Silverdale is delighted to bring you an online concert that celebrates all things musical that have been happening since we have been allowed back to school. It features the Y10 Swing Band, solo performances that have been recorded remotely by our students and a new emerging rock group. It will also feature a celebration of work that has been happening in the classroom since September. 

We really encourage as many of you as possible to listen to this as our pupils have been working so hard and are currently missing out on the exhilarating experience of performing live. It would make the perfect accompaniment to wrapping presents, writing cards, washing up or cooking the dinner!

You can listen to the concert here.

 

Online Safety

We are aware that the current restrictions mean many students will be spending more time online over the holidays.  Please look at the guidance here about keeping your child safe online.

 

Online counselling , support and advice for young people

Kooth.com is a free, safe and confidential way for young people to receive counselling, support and advice online, will still be accessible over the break from school. Please see their letter here for more information.

 

‘Dress as You Please’ Day

Many thanks to all the parents and students who supported our ‘Dress as You Please’ day on Wednesday.  Thanks to the PTA for collecting and banking the money, which will be split between TheFoodworks.org  (a local food charity based in Sharrow) and the PTA.

 

And finally…

Thank you for all your support during what has been a challenging Autumn for all of us. 

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 2021. To get you in the festive mood below are the winning entries in our Christmas card competition.

Best wishes,

Sarah Sims
Head of Silverdale School