We hope you have found our learning support helpful over the past 2 weeks and that you have been able to support your child with some learning. We know, from our own experience, that this isn’t easy from home, particularly for those who are continuing to work either from home or indeed the workplace, and we really do appreciate all that you have done in this area. Remember the home learning packs, activities and things we signpost you to are meant as a guide, and whilst we would like all children to complete at least some of them each day, please do not put pressure on yourselves or your children. Mental wellbeing is important for us all. Daily reading, some maths and some writing is helpful as it maintains good learning habits. We appreciate that life is tough at the moment and this may not always be possible. Hopefully as we adjust to our new routines, these three things at least can become a daily occurrence.
The government have made it clear that the usual expectations around the curriculum have been lifted, so we are conscious not to introduce new learning, but rather to consolidate and broaden learning which the children have already been taught so they have a strong foundation when we return. This is important for you to know so you do not worry about gaps in learning and the like.
Our policy at this time, which is in line with many schools, is to safeguard our staff by not posting videos of them delivering lessons within this new world of home-learning. We instead provide resources, activities, suggestions and signpost you to useful sites.
Over the holidays, school will remain closed except to those families who have already made contact with us and ‘booked in’. As this is a school holiday, teachers will not be setting further tasks or 2Dos on PurpleMash.
Unless we hear differently from the government, the current arrangements for school will continue after the Easter holidays, when our learning support will resume. From Monday 20th April you will be able to access your child’s next home learning grid appropriate for their age range. These will be located in the home learning section of the website. Teachers will also resume setting tasks, activities and games on PurpleMash so please, from this date, return to encouraging your child with their home learning routine.
We really do look forward to seeing you all soon.
Happy Easter & stay safe!
From Mrs Schonau & the Hillside Team
