Covid and Remote Learning Information Page

REMOTE LEARNING PROVISION
Remote Learning
 
We have now experienced two occasions when all children were moved to remote learning. Our timetable of sessions, which worked highly effectively, can be found below. As well as for lockdowns, we will also be offering remote learning should the school close for any other reason such as snow or loss of power.
 
As with all our information during the pandemic, the plan and timetable may well be subject to change depending on the local and national conditions going forward. The school will inform parents by email of any changes made. Please contact the school office, or the headteacher directly, for more information. 
Our Remote Learning Offer
 
As part of our remote learning provision, each class will be offered live teaching every day. Between these sessions, clear tasks will be set, including Maths and English, for which daily feedback will be offered. Each afternoon, the children will be given a 'topic' task. This will vary and may be any other subject including R.E., Science, PSHE, Geography, History, Art, Music, Computing or French (KS2).
 
We remain aware of the importance of safeguarding our children's mental wellbeing and the afternoon live session will contain an element of provision for this. We also ask parents to build daily exercise for  their children into their programme of learning and have recommended some online fitness resources.
 
Our online day will begin and end with a prayer, led by the children. 
Ensuring Family Well-being
One of the things we are very conscious of at the moment is ensuring family well-being. Lockdown is a stressful time for all. Our remote learning timetable is very structured, which has advantages, but now that we know we will be remote learning until at least half term and possibly beyond, we want to ensure that we focus on the mental well-being of our school community too. We are also aware that our children are spending a great deal of time in front of screens at the moment. Thus, we have created 'Well-being Wednesdays'. Every Wednesday afternoon, our children will be able to choose their own learning. The only things we stipulate, are that this should not involve screen time and that it should make them happy. They may want to read a book, do a jigsaw puzzle, play a game with the family, cook or bake, engage in sporting activity, go for a bicycle ride or a walk, enjoy an art or craft activity, create with lego, play a musical instrument - we don't mind! In order to support with this 'well-being learning,' we have provided ideas for the children in a 'Well-being' folder which is available to all classes on TEAMS. 
Remote Learning Expectations
Guidance for Parents of Children who are ill
 
If a child is unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 please keep them off as you would with any other illness until they are well enough to return. There is no obligation to test your child, however, if you do wish to do so and they are positive, the advice is for your child to stay at home and not have contact with other people for three days from the day they are tested. If you do not test your child, please ensure you keep them at home until their fever has passed as this is the time COVID-19 is most infectious.  
 
 
 

Dear Parents and Carers,

The aim of this page is to provide you with some resources and ideas should you wish to use them, and to keep all the information we share with you in one place.  I hope you find it useful. 

Well-being

In this strange time of uncertainty, we are hearing advice from all around us about what to do, what not to do and the advice seems to change daily. However, one thing we can be sure of is that something like this can provoke huge anxiety and concern for all of us. Looking after our physical health and needs is vital. But it is also essential that we give thought to our mental health and well-being at this time. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious, especially when we are concerned about our loved ones, our livelihoods and our own health.

It is important not to ignore the anxiety, but rather to address it.

So, here I am writing to you with some tips that may help look after your mind and well-being.

Think about access to media and social media

Some people can be quite paralysed by this anxiety and may want to completely stop interacting with the news

But for others this can be quite difficult. They want to know what’s going on. Not knowing makes it worse.

Think about limiting how much time you spend on social media or reading, listening or watching the news if it is making you anxious.

Do something you can control

It can help to express this anxiety in a way that you can control. That could be writing down what you feel, or keeping a journal 

Let it go

Once you’ve written it down, let it go.

Be really aware of what you’re thinking. Sometimes we are catastrophising, we're focusing on all these ‘what ifs?’ Bring things back to what you actually know.

Well-being check

Make sure you are looking after yourself, doing what you can to help get a good night’s sleep, eating well and doing exercise. This can be a workout in the living room or hula hooping in the back garden!

Socialise

Make plans to video chat with people or groups you’d normally see in person.

You can also arrange phone calls or send instant messages or texts.

If you’re worried that you might run out of stuff to talk about, make a plan with someone to watch a show or read a book separately so that you can discuss it when you contact each other. 

Breathing techniques and mindfulness

Mindfulness is really helpful in working to alleviate anxiety and worry…….

Mindful eating. This involves paying attention to the taste, sight and textures of what you eat. For example, when drinking a cup of tea or coffee you could focus on how hot and liquid it feels on your tongue, how sweet it tastes or watch the steam that it gives off.

Mindful moving, walking or running. Notice the feeling of your body moving. You might notice the breeze against your skin, the feeling of your feet or hands against different textures on the ground or nearby surfaces, and the different smells that are around you.

Body scan. This is where you move your attention slowly through different parts of the body, starting from the top of your head moving all the way down to the end of your toes. You could focus on feelings of warmth, tension, tingling or relaxation of different parts of your body.

Mindful colouring and drawing. Focus on the colours and the sensation of your pencil against the paper, rather than trying to draw something in particular. You could use a mindfulness colouring book or download mindfulness colouring images.

Mindful meditation. This involves sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing, your thoughts, sensations in your body and the things you can hear around you. Try to bring you focus back to the present if your mind starts to wander. Different things work for different people, so if you don’t find one exercise useful, try another. You can also try adapting them so that they suit you and are easier to fit in with your daily life.

These are some apps that you can download to help with relaxation

  •        Headspace.
  •        Calm. ...
  •        Aura. ...
  •        Stop, Breathe & Think. ...
  •        Insight Timer.

All of these can be done with your children. Make mindfulness in to an activity. Remember, this is an unknown. Anxiety and worry are as normal as normal can be in a situation like this, but we want to work together to support each other, ourselves and our families.

Look after yourselves

Jo Reid

Useful Numbers
These numbers may be of use to you or someone you know. 

First Response

0845 4600001 or 01296 383962

Referrals into social care if you are concerned for the safety or well-being of a child.

Social Care

01296 382249

This number takes you direct into social care to speak to the duty social worker should you not be able to make contact with your own social worker.

Family Support

01296 398242

Family Action works to tackle some of the most complex and difficult issues facing families today – including financial hardship, mental health problems, social isolation and learning disabilities. Domestic abuse, or substance misuse and alcohol problems.

Women’s Aid

01296 437777

Women's Aid offer support to women & children/young people experiencing domestic violence.

Healthy Minds

01865 901600 or txt 07798 667169

Healthy Minds is a NHS service offering quick and easy access to talking therapies, practical support and employment advice. Anyone who is feeling depressed, anxious or stressed, is aged 18 or over and has a GP in Buckinghamshire can request help from Healthy Minds.

Barnardo’s Buddies

01296 330096

Every young person who gets help from our CAMHS will have a trained Barnardo’s buddy to work with them and offer support throughout their care.

Bucks Youth

01296 431183

For children and young people who are currently in care or leaving care and promote their right to be a part of the decision making processes that affect their lives.

Young Carers

01280 817772

Are independent charities offering young carers the chance to be young people free from their caring responsibilities through trusted activities, clubs, outings, holidays and one-to-one support.

Citizen Advice

01296 3283317

A service with knowledge and information for many concerns and problems.

Maths Support for Parents
National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) have updated their website with videos and links to support parents in maths during the school closures. NCETM resources are excellent and we use many of them in school, so if you wish to access this support please click the link below.