The outbreak of Covid-19 in the UK has meant that schools in England have closed and are no longer functioning as places of education as we have formerly known them.  The government has requisitioned schools to provide emergency care for the children of Key Worker parents whose jobs are critical to the Covid-19 Response.  All school staff have been asked to work to support this provision during this time of closure and teachers have also been asked to provide distance learning opportunities for their pupils.

As a school we have contacted all parents and asked them to make themselves known to us if they are within the Key Worker group.   Each week we are sending out a booking form so that parents can request care for the days they need it - this enables us to consider each request and organise staffing in response to demand.  

We are mindful that as we approach the peak of the pandemic some parents may be called into work at short notice.  If you are a Key Worker parent and find yourself called into work at short notice and in need of childcare please email cbland@stmarysonline.co.uk explaining what you need and providing a contact number.  This inbox will be checked multiple times a day and you will be responded to promptly.

The documents below contain some additional information.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding remains a key priority for us and despite the fact that we are not having face to face contact with our pupils we acknowledge that we still have a responsibility to do all in our power to safeguard them.  The model of distance learning adopted by the school means that staff  will have daily contact with pupils/families via SeeSaw.  Teachers have been reminded to remain vigilant during this time and advised that if they have concerns about a pupils lack of engagement or indeed a noticeable change in engagement they should make direct contact with parents via a telephone call.  The call should be a 'check in' opportunity to see how the child/family are doing and to enquire if there is anything the school can do to support them.  Staff should also ask to speak to the child so they can find out from them how they are finding being at home and managing their learning.  All contact should be logged on CPOMs.

Distance Learning

As staff and parents already use SeeSaw as a means of sharing pupils learning and achievements we have decided to use SeeSaw as our way of setting distance learning tasks for pupils.

All children have been provided with a QR code to access the SeeSaw class app.  Each day your teacher will post a range of tasks you might like to do.  Some of these will require written recording which should be completed in the exercise books provided, some can be completed on SeeSaw and some may require you to log onto other online applications.

The inside cover of the exercise book provided contains log-in information for the range of websites we will refer the children to over the coming weeks.

Any questions or queries please ask via SeeSaw, the school email stmarysonline.co.uk or by calling the school office 0191 251 8080.