Daily update 17th April 2020 – Lockdown continues
As you will have seen from the government announcement yesterday, the lockdown has been extended for at least 3 weeks. This means, of course, that schools remain closed for at least this 3 week period. We will continue therefore with the home learning that we set up when the academy closed. The academy continues to open for those vulnerable students and children of keyworkers.

Term resumes on Monday
This is the last day of the Easter holidays, and what a strange holiday it has been! The weather has been kinder during these holidays than it often is in April and I hope you have been able to enjoy the sunshine whilst staying safe at home.

I appreciate that everyone’s routines have been disrupted since the start of the lockdown and the school’s closure and that a two week Easter break will, for many, have added to a sense of lack of routine. Re-establishing a routine for learning is important, we believe, as this will enable us to support students academically and emotionally during this difficult time. The routines we suggested at the beginning of this process are outlined below as a reminder.

We anticipate that a student’s week will work as follows:
· Before 9am every Monday morning: All tasks (known as ‘Assignments’) that students must be doing for the week will be added to the online classes, ready for the week ahead.
· Monday 9am onwards: Students will be able to log on to Microsoft Teams and see the Assignments for that week, along with the deadlines for completion.
· Monday to Friday: Students should complete and then ‘hand in’ their Assignments online, using their timetable as a guide in order to help structure their days. Students will also receive feedback and/or grading on their Assignments which will help to inform the next steps for them and help them to learn.

Before the holidays we asked for student and teacher input as part of a review of the home learning we had put in place. We have decided to continue for this week on the original plans and processes whilst we talk to staff further about any changes that we could and should implement. Any further update on slight changes will be communicated to you and students towards the end of this week.

CovidTeenHeroes

If you follow us on facebook you will have seen some examples of our young people contributing to their communities or showing us what they have been doing whilst staying safe at home. Jobi, in Year 13, has written a fantastic song about the lockdown, which is well worth a listen. Amelia, in Year 11, has been talking to younger children online through her role with Scottie’s Little Soldiers. In the coming days look out for Josie who has been working on some amazing pieces of art; Harry who has been raising money for the foodbank; and Candela who has been baking and making a map of Phineas Fogg’s travels around the world.

We’d love to hear from more of you about what you have been doing.

Quiz
This Friday’s quiz code is 107971. The link once again is https://myquiz.org/.
If you have any questions or would like to suggest a themed round then please email helen.gordon26@outlook.com.

Stay safe everyone.

With very best wishes,

Jo Tunnicliffe
Headteacher