WLD Update for Parents & Carers - Friday 15th January 2021

Good afternoon and welcome to the final update of what has, for many of us I am sure, been a very long week!  I hope that everyone has some chance to relax this weekend, whatever your circumstances may be.

Homework:  As I mentioned in yesterday's update we have become concerned about the pressures of homework under these unusual conditions.  So following a review yesterday of our online provision we are temporarily changing our expectations of homework.  We acknowledge that all our students are spending 5 hours per day online.  We also recognise that most online lessons are packed with learning which can often take more than the one hour lesson time.  Up until Feb half-term, therefore, compulsory homework will not be set and no negative Classcharts points will be given for lack of homework.  Teachers may set optional ASPIRE work and whole-school ASPIRE tasks around reading and independent learning will be set.  Positive points will be awarded for completion, but no negative points will be given.  Students can opt to spend time reviewing past learning, catching up on any missed topics and reading for pleasure.  We consider that this is a considered approach to balance the demands of online learning at this time with a focus on independent progress by each student.  We will review this approach at Feb half-term.

Feedback on remote learning: Mrs Long, the Assistant Headteacher responsible for Teaching and Learning, is very interested to hear from parents & carers about how remote learning is going from your perspective.  I receive a number of messages and pass them on, but Mrs Long wondered if there were a number of parents & carers who might be prepared to give a small amount of time to talk to her directly and give some feedback.  If you would be willing to help us in this way then please email Mrs Long on r.long@waltonledale.lancs.sch.uk.  Anything that helps us to improve is to be welcomed!

Classcharts:  It is very noticeable how Classcharts has become a central part of communication between school and home, I know that many parents & carers are finding it very useful to monitor your child's progress.  I am aware that you are getting a stream of messages about engagement through Classcharts - we will keep an eye on the flow of information and review it as we go forward.  Our intention is to provide you with plenty of information about your son or daughter's progress and engagement - we just need to make sure that we don't bombard you too much!  Any issues with Classcharts, or if you don't yet have access, please email classcharts@waltonledale.lancs.sch.uk.

Mrs Sweeney, our PSHE Co-ordinator, has a number of very useful notices today:

• Top Tips from Parents during lockdown (to share with our school community):  Do you have any top tips that we can share with our school community on how to cope during the current lockdown? Self Care, homeschooling, food (recipes), daily structure etc. Please email Mrs Sweeney r.sweeney@waltonledale.lancs.sch.uk 
• Weekly Reflection:  Our reflection for next week is "Motivation" - you will find the resources on the website.
• Wellbeing Garden donations: Thank you so much to everyone who has shown an interest in helping with the Walton Wellbeing Garden.  Unfortunately due to the current restrictions we are unable to invite you on site to help. If you have shown an interest in helping then I will contact you to discuss our plans and ideas.  However we are still accepting donations of outdoor paint, pots, compost, topsoil, plants. These can be left at the front of school, if you do intend on donating anything please ensure that you wear a mask when on site.
• "My week ahead":  The email version of this update has a document attached for students to fill in to focus their attention for their week ahead. They can complete this on their own or with support from parents/carers.

Best wishes and have a good weekend.  

James Harris

Headteacher