COVID-19: Parents

COVID-19/Coronavirus Updates

Mental Health and Well-Being Guidance

Home education: tips for parents

Getting School Ready After Lockdown

06-07-20

Dear Parents and Carers,

The government has now issued guidance to all schools to prepare for the full opening in September for all year groups. We are currently building the ‘new normal’ for AMSI’s provision of a broad and balanced curriculum for all students. As we are able to, we will update you on the changes that will have to be put in place to ensure that AMSI is a safe environment for all.  It is unfortunate that COVID-19 will still play a part in our everyday lives and as such we have to make significant changes to the way we operate.  I hope you will be supportive of the school and will continue to check the website on a weekly basis for updates.

Proposed changes to the assessment of GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2021

I will also like to draw to your attention the consultation from Ofqual on the changes to assessments in  Summer 2021. We would encourage you to give feedback through this link to Ofqual by 16th July; this is particularly pertinent for the parents and carers of Year 10 students.

Keep safe,

Susan Service
Headteacher

10-06-20

Year 10 ‘Face to Face’ sessions

01-06-20

Dear Parents/Carers,

We hope you have had a restful half term and hope that everyone is safe and well. We communicated with you on 22/5/20, but we are aware that not all parents received this in the post. The letter is now on the website dated 22/5/20.

Further to this communication, the government guidance now states that secondary schools will not reopen for Year 10 until the 15th June at the earliest. This is the current government guidance and may be subject to change.

When we reopen it will not be the same structure as pre-closure. There will be some two-hour’ face to face’ sessions with teachers to supplement remote learning. In accordance with DfE advice, sessions will have no more than 15 students. During the sessions, students will undertake a range of activities, aimed at supporting both their learning and wellbeing.Students must continue with all remote learning activities as directed by their teachers on Google Classroom. They must also sign in via the Attendance Register every morning by 10 am.

Students will also be expected to wear full school uniform and will be turned away if they are not wearing the correct attire.  

We will inform you via phone call and text message the day before they are due to come in confirming the time we expect them. We ask students not to arrive overly early or late for their sessions. 

Finally, please complete the survey on the website from the following link; this is important for our risk assessment planning.

If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact me or Mr Thompson.

Ms Service
Headteacher

22-05-20

UPDATE  – This letter was sent out to parents and carers on 22 May. We are posting this as we had reports that some did not receive it. Please note that since then, the Government has updated the guidance and the earliest date for a possible return now 15 June. 
Dear Parents and Carers, 

We are pleased to say that from Monday 1st June at the earliest, we will be able to invite Y10 students into school for ‘face to face’ time with their teachers to supplement their remote learning. In accordance with DfE advice, sessions will have no more than 15 students. During the sessions, students will undertake a range of activities, aimed at supporting both their learning and their wellbeing. 

In order to make this work, we must strictly comply with social distancing measures. In adherence to Government guidelines, group sizes will be capped, movement around the site will be strictly limited and classes will be deep cleaned between sessions. 

There will be both an AM and PM session, where we will cater for different groups. The AM session will be 10:00 – 12:00, and the PM session will run from 13:00 – 15:00.

When students arrive, they will find lines marked out at 2 metre intervals. They will be greeted at the student entrance, but will need to wait and comply with social distancing protocols (i.e. queuing as you would to enter a shop). We will expect students to wash their hands on entry. 

Free School Meals will be provided for students to take away at the end of the AM session/start of the PM session. Students will need to bring the following; 

  • A pencil case;
  • Any work they have completed on paper; 
  • Their remote leaning planner for Summer Term 1 and Summer Term 2

Students will also be expected to wear full school uniform and will be turned away if they are not wearing the correct attire.  

We will inform you via phone call and  text message the day before your child is due to come in confirming the time we expect them. We ask students not to arrive overly early or late for their session. 

We expect your support in underlining the importance of students coming straight to school and leaving at the end of the session. We do not expect students to congregate around the school, and we will take no responsibility for dispersing students prior to or after sessions. I must also underline that there will be a zero tolerance attitude to any behaviour which threatens the good order and safety of the school. If you are dropping off or picking up your child to or from these sessions, please do so at the Tollington Park – please do not come down Turle Road. 

If your child is ill or displaying any of the symptoms of coronavirus, please do not send them in to school. Let the school  know in the normal way you would report an absence, and ring NHS 111.

Questionnaire

Islington CAMHS guidance for parents

Help secondary school children continue their education during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Year 7 to year 9 students

Follow any advice from your child’s school on:

  • what work they should be doing
  • what work is most important
  • when work needs to be completed and handed in

The best way to help children aged 11 to 14 learn is to:

  • agree what they should try to achieve each day and each week
  • try to help them balance any deadlines for when work has to be handed in
  • try to break down the work into shorter periods, based on how long they can concentrate
  • take frequent breaks
  • praise or reward them when they do well
  • make some time for practical activities, such as arts and crafts, exercise or helping with cooking

Ask them about what they’ve learned, or try a quiz from BBC Bitesize.

Make time each day for them to read things that interest them, not just the reading they have to do for school. This could be books or articles, fiction or non-fiction. Talk to them about what they’re reading to encourage their interest.

Libraries are currently closed, but you can find digital services they’re providing at Libraries Connected.

Year 10 students

Parents may be worried about how the current situation will affect GCSE exams next year. We’re working on ways to support year 10 students, including asking secondary schools to offer some face-to-face support to supplement remote education. Further information will be provided shortly.

In the meantime, your child should keep studying at home for the exams next year. To support them, follow any advice from their school on:

  • what work they should be doing
  • what work is most important, particularly subjects that have coursework or are assessed during the year
  • when work needs to be completed and sent back

The best way to help children aged 14 to 15 learn is to:

  • help them create a daily schedule for any work they’ve been set
  • try to help them balance any deadlines for when work has to be handed in
  • give them access to a computer or another digital device if they need it to complete their work – if one is not available, contact their school
  • take frequent breaks

Ask them about what they’ve learned, or try a quiz from BBC Bitesize.

Make time each day for them to read things that interest them, not just the reading they have to do for school. Talk to them about what you’re both reading. This could be books or articles, fiction or non-fiction.

Libraries are currently closed, but you can find digital services they’re providing at Libraries Connected.

07-05-20

Islington Food Response During COVID-19

Also, just a reminder that it is a Bank Holiday tomorrow so school and virtual school will not be open; this means that the teachers will not be posting work for students tomorrow.

Wishing you a restful weekend and we all look forward to hearing news from the government on Sunday about next steps for the country. 

05-05-20

Dear parents/carers 

I write to you as we are now in the 5th school week post lock down due to COVID-19. I hope that you are all safe and well in these trying times as we all try to create a new normal far removed from the old. 

I hope that your child would have received contact from a member of staff at AMSI whether it be in the capacity of teaching and learning through Google Classrooms, check in calls from teachers, Heads of Year, the pastoral and welfare team, support staff and leadership. 

As families you all have different needs and we are working through this as appropriate to ultimately support and increase engagement through remote learning. I also acknowledge that many of you are supporting your child’s continued learning as best as you can in sometimes very difficult circumstances. 

This is the communication channels that you should expect from the school to either yourself or your child: 

  • Website – COVID -19 tab then the dropdown for students and parents 
  • Letters – e.g. posted workpacks to support those without internet connection or letters on the website 
  • Emails – e.g. checking in/addressing any issues raised 
  • Text messaging – e.g. to highlight a new posting on the website 
  • Telephone calls – e.g. to support Free School Meals processes 

We aim to respond to communication received within 48 hours. This is our normal expectation. Most staff are able to do so within this time but sometimes this may not be possible for a variety of reasons which are noteworthy. As a reminder, this is the student protocol for learning each day.

  1. Students should log on each day and complete the work set. When they have finished the work, it should be submitted via Google Classroom or the learning platform being used for the lesson.
  2. Students should be completing their weekly planner each day with reflections and actions for follow up on.
  3. If a student needs support, they should contact their teacher through Google Classroom or via email. [48 hour window for response]
  4. All communication with teachers must be polite and respectful. 

We continue to provide support in school for key workers and vulnerable children and I am sure that you will thank the staff that lead this support on a rota basis in school. Remote learning is ongoing and Google Classroom is our medium of delivery. Our decision to not currently do live lessons is based on safeguarding issues that must be considered for the well being of staff and students based on our context; this differs between schools. However this decision is continually under review as directives, change in capability and feedback drive our actions. We continue to recommend the government’s Oak Academy and BBC Bitesize which can be used to supplement our provision. 

In summary, if you have any questions or need support with 

Finally, I welcome Mr Stephen Badu the new Head of year 7 who joins the school in strange times but has made it his top priority to make contact with parents to introduce himself and be part of our on site school staff rota. 

Stay safe parents/carers and be in contact as appropriate – this also includes myself at s.service@amsi.school. 

Take care. 

Yours sincerely 

Susan Service
Headteacher 

27-04-20

Dear Parents/Carers,

First of all, I hope that you and your families are keeping well. These are certainly unprecendented times, and it now seems that school closures, as well as other social distancing measures, may be in place for longer than we all first thought.

Therefore, I am writing to remind you that your child falls into the categories of those allowed in school, namely, Key Workers, EHCP or Vulnerable. Should you wish to take up the offer of a place at the school for your child, please get in contact with School Business Manager Nicola Lawrence at n.lawrence@amsi.school to discuss options for your child in attending school.

Should you wish your child to remain off school for social distancing purposes, please expect us to make regular contact with your child, as we would if your child was absent from school in normal circumstances.

This is part of our duty of care to both your child and yourselves.

Yours faithfully,

Susan Service
Headteacher

22-04-20

Young Enterprise Parent Toolkit

We would like to share a resource from Young Enterprise who have provided a Parent Toolkit which is designed to give you access to a range of Young Enterprise and Young Money resources suitable for use with children and young people as part of their home-learning. There are some resources suitable for all ages, and others specifically for primary or secondary and older.

27-03-20

Dear Parents/Carers,
As we come to the end of the first week of remote learning, we thank you for the support you have given. We are attempting to keep in touch with students via email as well as some phone calls.  If you have any questions or need support with the learning, please contact the teachers or j.stubbs@amsi.school. 
The new restrictions are tough and any routines that you are able to establish will help you to get through this.
We look forward to welcoming our lovely students back into the school, but in the meantime keep well and keep safe.
Mrs. J. Stubbs
Deputy Headteacher – Outcomes and Teacher Standards

Fantastic Achievement for Remote Learning in Maths for Week 1

Please ask your child to check their school email for an important email from Mrs. Stubbs.

Year 11
Information about GCSE Examinations

Year 9 Notice

Mentors will be in touch with you by 3rd April either by email or phone.  Mrs. Stubbs will send you a google form for your final option choice on 6th April; this will be your final option choices. If you have not heard from your mentor by 3rd April, please contact Mrs. Stubbs.

How to support home learning

Home Learning Information

Additional materials for each department by year group

Letters sent to parents