27th March

Dear Parents / Carers

As we know, this is a challenging time for all of us. As teachers it has been pleasing to see the girls engaging with online learning and staff have commented that some amazing work has been sent back into school during the week.

However, we are becoming increasingly aware of a number of students who are not engaging with the work set.  During the next few days, we will be contacting the parents of these students to establish why this might be the case.  Can you please let us know as soon as possible if your daughter is unable to complete the work, and the reason, so we can provide the necessary support.  For example, we know that some girls have experienced difficulties accessing the internet or materials on Classcharts, which has led them to feeling stressed. Please assure them that they can email their teacher and we will respond.

If your daughter has an ICT related issue you can email: homesupport@penworthamgirls.lancs.sch.uk

Nobody knows how long the current situation will last and we are very concerned about the significant gaps in students’ learning, that will arise, if work is not completed.   We are here to support in whatever way we can, so please keep in touch.  You can help us by checking the Classcharts app and reviewing the work that has been set. 

On a similar note, we have sent both a tweet and parentmail this morning about the number of students’ exercise books still in school.  If your daughter does not have her books, can you please arrange for their collection at your earliest convenience.  We have set up a system whereby this can be done with minimal contact, applying government advice about social distancing.

We are aware that spending longer online can present challenges at home, so we want to send a reminder about e-safety and supporting the emotional health and well-being of your daughter at this time.

Websites to support for your daughter’s emotional health and well-being are signposted below. They include information about discussing coronavirus with your daughter and how to help her if she becomes anxious.

https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/

https://www.annafreud.org/what-we-do/anna-freud-learning-network/coronavirus/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing

Your daughter will invariably be spending an increased number of hours during the day online to access learning.  She will be aware of e-safety concerns discussed during Community Studies lessons.  There are dangers associated with spending time on social media sites, which they may be tempted to use during this time, when their normal social contact is reduced.

Below is a link to the CEOP website, which highlights the dangers online and gives practical ideas for parents.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/support-tools/support-your-child-at-home

If you feel there are issues around safeguarding at home that you would like to discuss with the safeguarding team please contact school. Currently we can make referrals for support to the Child and Family Wellbeing service to access some help if needed.

Please can we also remind you that if you have serious safeguarding concerns about a child, and wish to contact social services, please ring 0300 123 6720.

We have also summarised some national guidance for parents about creating a positive learning environment at home, which you may find useful.

Be realistic about what you can do

• You’re not expected to become teachers and your children aren’t expected to learn as they do in school. Simply providing your children with some structure at home will help them to adapt. Use the tips below to help you make this work for your household
• Experiment in the first week, then take stock. What’s working and what isn’t? Ask your children, involve them too
• Share the load if there are 2 parents at home. Split the day into 2-3 hour slots and take turns so you can do your own work
• Take care of your own health and wellbeing. This will be new for your entire household, so give it time to settle. Take a look at the links at the end of this factsheet for some advice on mental health and wellbeing

Keep to a timetable wherever possible

• Create and stick to a routine if you can. This is what children are used to. For example, eat breakfast at the same time and make sure they’re dressed before starting the ‘school’ day – avoid staying in pyjamas!
• Involve your children in setting the timetable where possible. It’s a great opportunity for them to manage their own time better and it’ll give them ownership
• Check in with your children and try to keep to the timetable, but be flexible. If a task/activity is going well or they want more time, let it extend where possible
• If you have more than 1 child at home, consider combining their timetables. For example, they might exercise and do maths together – see what works for your household
• Designate a working space if possible, and at the end of the day have a clear cut-off to signal school time is over
• Stick the timetable up on the wall so everyone knows what they should be doing when, and tick activities off throughout the day
• Distinguish between weekdays and weekends, to separate school life and home life

Make time for exercise and breaks throughout the day

• Start each morning with a PE lesson at 9am with Joe Wicks
• If you have a garden, use it regularly. If you don’t, try to get out once a day as permitted by the government (households can be together outdoors but 2 metres apart from others)
• Get your children to write in a diary what they did each day – this can be a clear sign that the ‘school’ day has ended

Hoping that you and your family continue to stay safe and well.

With my very best wishes,

Karen Pomeroy

Head Teacher

Dear Parents/Carers

As you know, for the Y11 Class of 2020 the GCSE experience has been completely different.  We are in unprecedented times, and as a school we are still waiting on more detailed information about how the girls’ results will be determined.

Please be assured that we will do everything within our power to ensure each and every girl gets the results she so richly deserves.  We know how much anxiety and upset this has caused – we have felt this too.

May I ask at this particularly challenging time you refrain from contacting staff until we have a clearer picture of how the results will work.  

Thank you for your cooperation

Yours sincerely

Mrs Pomeroy

Headteacher

Will there still be a school bus service?

Currently school bus services are being maintained.

Is it normal school hours?

Yes

Would our daughter only attend on the days that we are working?

Yes.  The Government’s advice is that as far as possible children should be kept at home.

Would my daughter have to attend full time or just days needed?

In line with the Government’s advice is that as far as possible children should be kept at home, your daughter should only attend school on the days when it is not possible to for her to be kept at home.

Does my daughter continue to attend PGHS as opposed to another local school?

Yes.  This may change in the future and you will informed if it does.

Are there any provisions being made for children to still be able to get to school as she normally gets the school bus? As I start too early to be able to get her to school?

Currently school bus services are being maintained.  This will be reviewed in the future and if it is not being used then we may have to make alternative arrangements.

Please can you reply and let me know whether Girls High will be participating in the Shopping Vouchers scheme announced in place of Free School Dinners whilst children are in isolation?

Lancashire County Council is currently providing food parcels rather than vouchers.  This service starts on Monday 23rd March.  This may change in the future and we will inform you if it does.

Can we be assured that teaching will take place and it isn’t a ‘crèche type facility’ for parents having to work?

The Government is trying to strike a balance between providing education to the children of key workers and ensuring the safety of both our students and staff.  For this reason, the provision will consist solely of the supervision of independent study.  That said, staff are creating and will continue to create high-quality work for the students.

Will my daughter be able to collect her school books etc. from her locker some time on Monday?

Yes.  A member of staff will arrange for this if your daughter comes into school with her locker key.

Will her dedicated HI teaching support continue?

The only provision will consist of using assisted technologies with the PC’s.

What measures that will be put in place to support social distancing given the reduced number of pupils that will be attending school?

We are following NHS guidelines concerning social distancing and hygiene to ensure that both staff and students are kept safe and the potential for transmission is reduced.  This will include students being kept spaced apart in classrooms, small class sizes, regular supervised hand-washing and deep cleaning of surfaces and facilities.

What hours will the school will be open?

8:45am until 3:20pm.

As it is a child care arrangement and not educational will they be expected to wear uniform?

We expect our students to continue wearing their school uniform.

What catering facilities will be available and will they be able to use their payment accounts if required?

Currently, we are planning to provide a reduced ‘normal’ meal service.  ParentPay accounts will continue as before.

Just to clarify, will this be for Penwortham Girls’ students only or students from other schools too?

No.  The Local Authority has stated that teachers and school staff can bring their children into PGHS.  However, these students will be supervised separately.

Dear parent / carer of Year 11 students.

Yesterday when I wrote to you, I promised I would let you know about how qualifications will be awarded as soon as further information is released.  The following link makes for very interesting reading:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/further-details-on-exams-and-grades-announce

At present, it would appear that decisions will not be finalised until Ofqual (the examination regulatory body) and exam boards have discussed the proposals with teachers’ representatives.  We are told ‘more information will be provided shortly’ (an all-too-familiar phrase this week!). I will write to you again as soon as a decision has been finalised.

In the meantime, our teaching staff are providing resources on Class Charts to enable Year 11 students to:

• consolidate their learning of the GCSE specifications (revision tasks, low stakes tests, etc), so that they have a solid foundation on which to build when they progress to the next stage of their education.
• prepare for their studies at 6th Form / College (For example, ‘bridging activities’ between GCSE and A level – wider reading, extension tasks, etc).

As I said to Year 11, this morning, they have many weeks and months ahead of them before starting the next stage of their journey. Getting prepared and keeping themselves occupied (for some of the time) with something purposeful will no doubt help them through these turbulent times.

Finally, I would like to finish by saying that, although we have said a very sad farewell to our Year 11 today, they remain very much part of our school community.  I know I am speaking for all of our staff when I say that we are here to support the ‘class of 2020’ in whatever way we can.  Please keep in touch and I very much look forward to welcoming back both you and your daughter to PGHS in happier and safer times.

Take care and stay safe.

Mrs Pomeroy
Headteacher

Dear Parent/Carer

Thank you to all those parents who have contacted school about their daughter’s attendance from Monday 23^rd March. 

The government have now released the list of ‘Key Workers’ who may continue to send their child to school during the school closures.

Please check your status on this list by following this link

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Please note that the message from the government is as follows:

If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.  That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

Parents whose work is critical to the COVID-19 response include those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors outlined (in the link above). Many parents working in these sectors may be able to ensure their child is kept at home. And every child who can be safely cared for at home should be.”

In light of this, if you have contacted school but the situation has now changed, please contact us again as soon as possible.

For those who have not yet informed us that they are a key worker, and their daughter WILL be in school, please contact us by no later than 1pm today.

We will assume anyone who does not contact us WILL NOT be requiring school provision. 

We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls to school we would ask that you e-mail the address below to confirm attendance from Monday. We have received numerous queries and are working on putting together a Frequently Asked Questions guidance, which we will publish as soon as we are able to. 

admin@penworthamgirls.lancs.sch.uk

Please respond as a matter of urgency.  Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Mrs K Pomeroy

Headteacher

Dear Parents/Carers
The following letters have been sent to parents/carers today via parentmail.

Dear Parents/Carers

I’m writing to keep you informed of the latest developments in our strategy for handling the impact of Coronavirus here at school. At the time of writing, we appear to have a relatively small number of staff who are absent and thanks to the efforts of our teachers, we are still running the full school timetable as normal. That said, we are in the advanced stages of preparing for either a partial or whole school closure and I will write to you again if either of these situations arise.

Nevertheless, the attendance of our students is declining sharply and so I am currently preparing advice and guidance on home learning. Our teachers are already uploading resources and work packs to ClassCharts, enabling your daughter to continue studying if she has to self-isolate. Individual subject overviews of the work provided to each year group will be available on the school website by Friday 20th March. We have also ensured that all our teachers are able to work from home so that they can continue to provide work for the foreseeable future, should we have a partial or full school closure.

On behalf of all everyone at PGHS, I would like to wish all our families well at this difficult time and reassure you that we are doing everything we can to ensure that your daughter’s education is not adversely affected. This is entirely due to the unstinting efforts and ongoing commitment of our staff over the coming weeks.

Yours sincerely

Mrs K Pomeroy

Head Teacher

Dear Parents/Carers

Following my letter on Friday 13^th March, I am writing to provide a further update for you on the current situation in relation to COVID 19 coronavirus and our plans as a school.

We are continuing to monitor the Public Health advice for Education Settings, which is updated daily, and the daily news briefings and will act accordingly with any advice given.

Attendance:

Pupils should attend school unless they are unwell – if your child has any of the following symptoms they should remain at home for 7 days:

· a new, continuous cough and/or

· a temperature.

Pupils should also be absent from school for 14 days if a member of your household has:

· a new, continuous cough and/or

· a temperature.

The 14 days isolation starts on the first day that symptoms are experienced by a member of your household. If your child is not able to attend school due to illness, please report this by contacting the school by telephone. Please inform school if your child is starting a period of isolation for 7 days or a 14 day absence due to illness of a person in your household.

Following further government advice given on 16th March, please note the following changes to our provision have also been made:

• All inter school sports fixtures have been cancelled;
• All PE after school activities have been cancelled;
• No assemblies are taking place;
• Futures Evening (Y9) has been cancelled – please see separate email about contact with staff for advice.

As Educational Visits are considered as non essential travel, I am sorry to inform you that our educational visits have been cancelled until further notice.

We will provide further updates as and when anything changes. We are dealing with an unprecedented situation and I appreciate your continued support and understanding as we deal with this crisis.

Please use the following sites for more information:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19

Yours sincerely

Mrs K Pomeroy

Head Teacher

The letter below has been sent to all Parents/Guardians/Carers today via parentmail regarding our current plans in school.