Stanmore Post - 8 January 2021
Dear Parents,
Thank you for responding so well to all of the changes that have happened since Monday. It has been an extraordinary week, even in the current circumstances. The strength of our school community can be measured by how quickly children, parents and staff have adapted to two different situations in the space of one week. Everyone has played a part in making sure that this has happened as smoothly as possible.
I do not underestimate how challenging this has been for many families. If you have struggled with the technology this week then you are not alone. I imagine there are many people, myself included, who have been daunted by the step up into remote learning. The positive news is that the families who have taken the first step in engaging with remote learning, asking the school for support where necessary, are now up and running on Google Classroom. Some children and families felt overwhelmed initially, but the more they are getting used to this way of working the easier it is becoming. Who imagined a world where 5 year olds could so easily put themselves on mute?
This week children at home have participated in maths and English lessons that are similar to their usual classroom practice. The children in school are following the same routine. The curriculum next week develops this further with a wider range of subjects available. Planning follows the intended curriculum for this term with some necessary changes. For example art and design with Mrs Stanley will be a practical lesson using basic resources that you are likely to have at home rather than our usual art resources. In addition, ‘wellbeing with Mrs Mason’ and the ‘chill and chat’ session where children will just be able to see their friends under the supervision of the teacher, are there to support children’s mental health. It was wonderful to see so many faces on the screen for our Celebration Assembly. Next Friday we will run two sessions to allow for more than 100 to attend. Children across all year groups in the school will enjoy these sessions. The timetable can be found here.
We have resolved a couple of issues around the day to day management of the sessions. For example, children should now be unable to join a meeting before the teacher arrives. Find out more about how we are safeguarding your children and managing the expectations of behaviour in a remote lessons.
As well as juggling home education I am fully aware that families are coping with many other pressures. There is an expectation that children do participate in online learning this time. The Department of Education recommends that children in KS1 complete 3 hours a day and KS2 complete 4 hours a day. Of course, I would hope that this is possible, particularly once the Google Classroom routine becomes a familiar process. We are working hard to provide more support to parents through direct teaching on Google Meet. No-one would want to see children fall further behind because of a situation beyond anyone’s control. However, I am realistic and know that what is most important is that everyone stays positive, taking a balanced approach that keeps your family on track. Start small, be successful and build up from there. You are not on your own and we can help through re-assurance or in more practical ways if needed.
Contact adminoffice@stanmore.hants.sch.uk
We know that choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make. At Stanmore Primary School you will find an environment that will support them in their development and positively challenge them in their learning. The deadline for Year R applications is January 15th 2021. If you or anyone you know has a child who will start school in September 20-21 please follow the link below: