WLD Update for Parents & Carers Friday 3rd April 2020

3 April 2020

Good afternoon,

As we reach the "Easter holiday" at this strange time I hope that, even under the current circumstances, you and your families will find a way to relax a bit. Teachers will have sent out ideas for activities and study, but they will not be setting regular work as they have been doing over the last fortnight. Our limited supervision at school will continue, someone will be in school to answer the phone during school hours and I will keep an eye on my email! I will send out occasional updates as and when information becomes available, for example we are reviewing the way in which we set work and I will communicate about that before the start of next term.

I attach some really good resources to this message - the second newsletter about home schooling for students with SEND, which is useful for everyone, a list of 20 possible activities for the Easter break and a guide for parents/carers produced by Lancashire County Council.

Easter Challenges: Our creative staff have found or created a range of informal activities and challenges for the Easter break. They are on our website here.

GCSE examinations 2020: The government has today produced guidance on the way in which GCSE grades will be awarded this year. The guidance can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcses-as-and-a-level-awarding-summer-2020 and we will read and digest it over the coming days and produce guidance for yourselves and our Year 11s after the Easter break. Nothing needs to be done immediately.

Stream stage musicals and plays: http://filmedonstage.com/news/76-free-musicals-and-plays-you-can-now-stream-during-t he-coronavirus-outbreak-updating-daily

Notice for Year 9: If they can, Year 9 pupils are to complete a digital journal of their Easter holiday for ICT and music. They should check their school email for more details.

Resources from three organisations:

The Children's Commissioner: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/coronavirus/resources/
Barclay's lifeskills resources
Army resources

There is a great service from LCC: "If you feel isolated, vulnerable and in need of volunteer support during the current health crisis please fill out a community support referral form here or contact our team"

As I have said several times, your health and wellbeing, and that of your children, is the primary concern. We are working on the principle of providing resources so that our students can learn at home as well as continuing to provide pastoral care for our young people and their families. We are all doing our very best at this challenging time.

With very best wishes