Principal's Letter, 29 January 2021

Parental Feedback
Firstly, my thanks to those of you who kindly took the time to complete the Ofsted Parent View survey this week and the academy survey relating to remote learning. Your feedback is very useful.

One area of note from your feedback is that a large percentage of you are aware of what your children are learning. However, I note that this is not the case for all. Curriculum information pathways are available on the website https://ormistonsixvillagesacademy.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum-overview.

If you have not had a moment this week to complete these two forms, please follow the links to share your views:

  1. https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/ (postcode is PO20 3UE if you haven’t registered before)
  2. https://forms.gle/KJ5v2S9o3fWrv3eNA (remote learning and tutor day feedback survey)

INSET Day – Friday 5th February
A reminder that next Friday is an INSET day. The academy will be closed and remote learning will not take place.

February half-term
The government has confirmed that schools will close as usual over February half-term and are not expected to remain open to vulnerable children and the children of critical workers during that week.

FSM during half term
The government has advised that schools do not need to provide lunch parcels or vouchers during the February half-term. There is wider government support in place to support families and children outside of term-time through the Covid Winter Grant Scheme.

Prime Minister’s Briefing
I am sure you will have heard the PM’s announcement yesterday that it will not be possible to resume face-to-face learning immediately after the February half-term and instead he hopes it will be safe to commence the reopening of schools and colleges from Monday 8 March. This will be confirmed in due course. Remote learning will, of course, continue until the academy reopens. Thank you for your support in ensuring your child engages fully with their normal timetabled lessons.

Public Health Data
Please find below the weekly update of public health data for children and young people that I have received from the Interim Director of Public Health for West Sussex. The figures show that rates among 10-14s have not changed hugely in the past few days and rates among children and young people continue to be highest in 15 to 19 year olds. The rate among 15 to 19s in West Sussex is currently higher than for the South East and England. It remains, of course, essential that all our students follow the national guidance and avoid socialising to stay safe.

Number and rate of cases of COVID-19 among children and young people (aged 0 to 19) and all ages in West Sussex to week ending 20-Jan

Space 180 #iWill Project
We are looking for your support. Our Space 180 #iWill project has had knock back after knock back due to Covid 19, the national lockdowns and the restrictions we are currently adhering to.
It is our hope that our outside learning area can be completed this summer but we are struggling to get going again currently. We have obtained planning permission for our outside timber classroom but installation has been delayed due to the pandemic. There are other areas that we are desperately needing your help with.

We are hoping to gain support in the following areas; do you perhaps have the machinery? Manpower? Knowledge? Materials? We need to:

  • once again clear the land
  • finish the pathways on the site
  • dig a hole for a pond
  • build some more raised beds

It goes without saying that we are unable to hold a community day currently, but moving forwards if you can help in any way please contact Mrs Bridges at [email protected].

Safer Schools App
Please see the leaflet attached below which is a ‘how to’ guide for the Safer Schools App. The benefits are that you will receive real time updates for safeguarding concerns that will affect your child and reliable information about concerns and scares that your child may have heard about.
Click here for Google Play Store and click here for Apple Store.

Compass Card Scheme
‘Amaze’ have asked me to outline their Compass Card scheme which is for children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities living or going to school in West Sussex. They provide the following information:

  • The Compass scheme is run in West Sussex and Brighton and Hove by the charity Amaze. It includes the West Sussex Disability Register (a statutory duty for WSCC) and a free leisure discount card for all children and young people on the Register.
  • The Disability Register is for 0 to 25 year olds who have an EHCP (Education Health Care Plan) in school/college or are eligible for DLA/PIP. Other children and young people, who have a disability that has a major effect on their daily living, may also be eligible. Data from the Register is used to inform and shape SEND services.
  • When families register (for free) on the Compass scheme they receive a discount card giving access to leisure activities for local disabled children and young people (at 300+ venues in non-Covid times). It Gets Me Out, an independent evaluation of the West Sussex Compass Project by the University of Brighton in May 2020, demonstrates that the Compass Card significantly improves children and young people’s physical fitness, mental health, and confidence.
  • Please contact [email protected] for more information (Tel: 01273 234020| Mob: 07484 051755| amazesussex.org.uk)

Mr P Slaughter, Principal

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