Newsletters

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am writing to you at the end of what has once again been a very challenging half term. We are aware that children are tired and would recommend that they (and you) have a complete break from home learning over the coming week.

Those of us who are teachers and parents are very much looking forward to a government update on 22 February. As you are aware, I do not receive advance notice of any public announcements although I will of course be ready to respond to the next set of government directives. We know that pupils will not be returning to school before 8 March but unfortunately I do not have any further information at present.

In the meantime, we will continue to offer remote learning for pupils at home. Whilst remote learning cannot replicate being in school, the findings from our recent remote learning survey are a testament to our staff/parent/pupil partnerships. All staff have put a great deal of effort into making remote learning as positive and productive as possible. Parents have supported us through a period of rapid learning and children have amazed us with their independence and ability to adapt.

Remote learning survey

 We had 147 respondents to our survey. The results demonstrate that we are not only exceeding OFSTED’s expectations, we have robust systems in place and are maintaining good relationships with pupils and parents:

Here are the headlines:

1. My child is safe at home 99%
2. My child has sufficient access to appropriate technology 97%
3. The time my child spends learning typically equates to 3 hours a day for reception, Y1 and Y2 OR 4 hours a day for Y3-Y6 78%
4. The morning Teams session helps motivate my child to do the work which has been set 93%
5. New content is introduced during the morning input 99%
6. My child has an opportunity to interact with the teacher on the daily Teams sessions 97%
7. My child finds the optional afternoon Teams session useful 89%
8. My child receives weekly feedback on their work 93%
9. I would feel confident contacting the school if I had a question about my child’s work 100%
10. I would feel confident contacting the school if I had a pastoral concern about my child 98%

As you would expect from any survey, there are some specific follow up actions and we are contacting parents directly where they have expressed particular concerns. In addition, each year group will be creating an Extras folder on our website for those parents who are asking for more work. This will contain ‘go to’ links for open ended challenges and problem solving activities. Outcomes won’t be marked by class teachers and activities may just provide food for thought, or a starting point for an interesting conversation. One of the websites I really like is https://thekidshouldseethis.com/ which is dubbed ‘smart videos for curious minds’

Although our survey is now closed, we still welcome your views, suggestions and feedback. Please do email your child’s class teacher directly if you have a particular concern or question about any aspects of home learning after the half term break.

The importance of reading

Throughout this period of change and instability, we have been clear with parents that it is vital to maintain our focus on the core areas of reading, writing and maths. Phonics and reading is an area which parents can support at home and teachers can monitor from school. We would like every child to be accessing their assigned Bug club books by February 22. To enable your child to access Bug Club, you will need to activate their account. Please contact admin@bramhope.co.uk if you are having technical difficulties. We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Bramhope Buzz

A big thank you to Mrs Judd and the editing team for producing today’s publication of the Bramhope Buzz. Maybe reading this term’s issue together will encourage your child to submit something for the next issue? Click on this LINK to read the new issue.

Children can write about anything they are really interested in. Does your child enjoy making things? Do they collect anything? Could they recommend a particular board game or computer game; could they review a film they have watched or a book they love? Please send any articles for our next issue to:

caroline.judd@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk  BramhopeBuzz@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk 

Housepoints!

Throughout this current lockdown we have continued to award house points to learners in class and at home. The children really look forward to me announcing our ‘weekly winners’ in assembly - well done to everyone who has been awarded a house point this term!

The total points for this half term are:

A big well done to Burton!

‘Our Place in Space’ Workshop

Follow the link below to watch a workshop delivered by Jo Richardson, from Space Detectives who is a ESERO-UK Space Ambassador. You can find out all about her at www.spacedetectives.com

https://youtu.be/wqmjZcr9Kio

The link will be available until 26 February.

The 45 minute recorded session is accompanied by a Learning Guide

During the workshop, pupils will pause the video and complete a variety of fun activities, including experiments, making their own solar system and experiencing augmented reality! The whole workshop, with activities, will take 1hr 15mins- 1hr 30 mins. The session fits in with the National Curriculum, linking to Science/Physics/Art/Maths/Earth Science and is suitable for both KS1 and KS2.

Attachments that accompany the workshop:

Flashcard

Solar System in scale

SS Bunting Planets 

SS Bunting Planets Reverse

SS Bunting Sun

SS Bunting Sun Reverse

Families can find out about more events at:

https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/events/category/family-children/

Track and Trace

Finally, please remember that the school continues to operate a Track and Trace system throughout the school holiday. If your child receives a positive Covid -19 test result at any point between Saturday 13 February and Sunday 21 February, please email me directly: rachel.colbourn@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk so that I can take appropriate action regarding closure of bubbles.