Staying Connected

In the event of Partial or Full Lockdown, we have set up this page as a one-stop shop for the required links and information.

We will post any new information regarding the school’s status on this page, together with other useful updates.

See the section Working Online for more information on submitting assignments using Show My Homework and Microsoft Teams

Lateral Flow Tests – these need to continue to be done on Mondays and Thursdays until further notice.

Please can you make sure you complete a LFT on 31st October prior to returning to school. We have given students fresh supplies but if you are running out, these are freely available from pharmacies and supermarkets.

Update for January 2022 return to school

Vaccinations

Downloads

Vaccinations for students:  Sixth Form Students were offered vaccines during the July / August Period. Vaccine uptake was high with over 90% of our oldest students now fully vaccinated.

Vaccines were also offered to 12-15 year-olds on 5th October.  All Year 11, 10 and 9 students whose families had requested that they were vaccinated were completed that day. Unfortunately, we were unable to vaccinate Year 7 and 8 students due to being understaffed by NHS (SIAS) personnel.   We are, therefore, planning to run a second day on 17th November.  Students will come out of normal lessons that day so there is no need for a parent to accompany them providing permission has been granted.  Letters from the NHS along with instructions will be sent out WB 1st November.  There will also be an opportunity for anyone in older year groups who was unable to be vaccinated due to illness or following self-isolation to also take up this offer.

Anyone who does not want to be vaccinated for medical or personal reasons will have full access rights to their education unaffected.  Whilst the majority of parents have supported the vaccination process, this remains a personal choice.

We will continue to apply measures which help reduce or mitigate against the spread of Covid-19 or any other virus. These include one-way systems, separate social and recreation areas for different year groups, additional cleaning and hand sanitisation areas.  The wearing of face-makes remains optional for students and staff and we fully respect the right of someone to wear PPE if this makes them feel safe.   We have been very fortunate to have relatively low levels of positive Covid cases at Birchwood.  If infection rates do increase in November / December we will liaise with PHE who will advise us accordingly.  Equally, if the DfE change their regulations for schools, we will fully abide by these.

Our students have been  excellent this term – re-engaging with any lost learning and showing positive attitudes, keeping to the rules we have put in place to keep everyone safe.  The last thing anyone needs is a further lockdown or partial lockdown so we will work our utmost to keep focussed on providing high quality teaching and learning whilst maintain a healthy school environment.

Letter from Dr Ingate regarding the re-opening of school on 8 March

Dear Parents/Carers

I am sure that you will be aware that the Government have just announced a return of all schools in England on Monday 8 March. This is good news. A return to greater normality and routine as well as actually teaching in the classroom is well overdue. Students and staff have done their best with online learning but it is no substitute.

There is a more detailed DfE plan for schools, which has just been released, detailing arrangements including PPE and Lateral Flow Testing. We will spend this week formulating a plan that works for Birchwood. I will also liaise with the other local secondary schools to ensure that there is consistency across the town. I would hope to be in a position to give more details by Monday 1 March so I hope you don’t mind being patient this week.

For now, it is a continuation of business as usual for the next two weeks with remote learning and Key Worker Provision.

Yours sincerely

Dr Chris Ingate

Principal

Dr Ingate's Weekly Blog

Update: 7 January 2021

5 January 2021

Please note that, due to Government restrictions as a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic,  Birchwood High School is now closed to Students until Monday 22nd February.  Work is being set on-line for all our Students including Key Worker and Vulnerable Students who will work in school during this period of time.

Lateral Flow Testing

We will be testing students attending Birchwood during the lockdown, including Key Worker and Vulnerable Students and those attending examinations (BTEC and LiBF).

Key Worker testing will take place for the first time at 08:30 on Wednesday 6 January.  This will be a drive through and all registered Key Worker student/parents will be expected to attend. Also, on this occasion, parents are expected to wait with students for the result.  Thereafter; Key Worker School students will be tested weekly on a Tuesday at 08:30 or weekly on their first attendance of the week if they are not in on subsequent Tuesdays.

Testing for BTEC/LiBF examination students.  All students who are able to take part in these exams will be expected into school between 12:00 and 14:00 on Wednesday 6 January to undertake a test prior to them sitting the examinations.

Consent: We require parental consent (for students under 16 years of age) or the student’s consent (if aged 16 or over) to carry out these tests: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/birchwoodcovidtestform

You will be able to accept or decline consent via this form. If you do decline please fill in the form declaring this so we have a completed record of data. Should you require a paper copy of this please contact maugustine@birchwoodhigh.org.uk . You can also see the Privacy Notice below explaining how we use and store the data.

For all other students the mass testing programme will be postponed and we will write to you in February when we know the Government’s intentions.

The following letter relates to the original testing timetable, but the information about the tests themselves and the procedure itself still applies:

Key Links

Some essential links for students

Other subject-specific websites used in school

Other websites recommended by staff

Websites recommended by our school counsellor

New Advice Lines

Healthy Minds Network (HMN) have launched a new early intervention and prevention helpline for children and young people aged 10-17 in Herts. The helpline will provide a safe , non-judgemental space to talk to a Young People Advisor or Mentor who will provide emotional support, advice and information, signposting and discuss coping strategies. For opening hours and more information please visit the website https://www.hertsmindnetwork.org/young-peoples-helpline.

The Helpline number is 01923 256391.

Opening times at the moment are:

  • Mon, Wed, Fri – 13:00 – 16:30
  • Tues, Thurs – 17:00 – 19:30
  • Sat – 10:00 – 13:00

The Schools and Families Advice Line (SFAL) is a new service established to provide emotional wellbeing advice and early help to children and young people, families and schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It can be really worrying when you or someone you know is going through a difficult time. If you feel this service could help, please call our Single Point of Access (SPA) who will take your details before passing them onto our call back service.

This service is open to self-referrals from families and young people, and education, health and other professionals involved in supporting young people and their families.

Contact details:

You will get a call back from a mental health practitioner between 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday. Support will be offered in a one-off, up to 1 hour phone call

How can the service help?

Supporting children, young people, their families and schools by providing early advice around:

  •  General concerns around mental well-being, coping strategies and self-care.
  • How to support children and young people in relation to the Covid-19 outbreak (e.g. understanding, frustration, anxiety etc).Supporting mental well-being during the transition back to school and the anxiety around this uncertainty.
  • Support for education staff around their own mental well-being and advice around how they can care for themselves.
  • ‘Whole school approaches’ to supporting mental well-being.
  • Specific anxieties (around COVID-19/self-isolating measures, transition between year groups, developing and maintaining relationships, fear of failure, low self-esteem or aspirations, trust issues, social anxiety, etc.)
  • Phobias (animals/insects, specific food stuffs, specific objects, modes of transport etc.)
  • Low mood
  • Emotional regulation difficulties
  • Mild obsessive compulsive difficulties that are starting to impact day to day activities.
  • Low-level behavioural concerns
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Signposting to services and resources that may be helpful for supporting mental wellbeing.

Past Papers and Exam Board Information

Please see the Main Exams Page for all information relating to the 2021 Summer Examinations

IT Student Support

If you have any problems accessing SMHW, TLC Live or Online Reporting

Please Note: Students MUST use their Office 365 e-mail accounts when using this service and not their personal e-mail accounts. If students are unable to log in to their Office 365 accounts, then we will ONLY use the e-mail address recorded in our School Information Management System (SIMS) to send the new login.

If students have technical problems when using Show My Homework, TLC Live or any other website used officially by the school for lessons, please contact ITStudentSupport@birchwoodhigh.org.uk

Working Online

How to submit your homework online and use Microsoft Teams and TLC Live classrooms

Using Office 365

A quick demonstration on how to log in to your Birchwood High School Office 365 account

Using Microsoft Teams

We are expanding our use of Microsoft Teams in the delivery of online learning. In this YouTube video, Mr Briscoe explains the basics of using Microsoft Teams.

Submitting your assignments using Show My Homework.

The YouTube video to the right shows you what you need to do!

Certain teaching groups are now using TLC Live for their lessons.

Troubleshooting

Please see the following document if you are having any problems using the online lesson system. If you cannot find the solution you need here, please e-mail IT Student Support on itstudentsupport@birchwoodhigh.org.uk

Updates and Announcements

Dr Ingate’s Blog – week beginning 8 June 2020

Dear Parents / Carers and Students

As we begin this second week in June, the good news is that the health threat from Covid-19 does appear to be slowly receding. This is allowing the Government to relax some lock-down measures and get the economy moving again.  Most political commentators are saying that we are in a delicate position as there is a risk that the infection rate could go above 1 again leading to an increase in infection rates.   Let’s hope not.  We have all worked so hard to adjust our lives, keep socially distant and washed our hands relentlessly.

As far as schools are concerned, we are being encouraged to ensure that Year 10 and 12 students receive some 1:1 teaching.  At Birchwood, we have responded by organising 1:1 meetings for Year 10 this week and Year 12 next week.   Once we have completed these, we will be able to assess how well on-line learning is working and to what extent we need to provide additional learning opportunities.  The concept of putting on lessons in school does seem to be difficult under the current legislation – at Birchwood, corridors in B and C block are not wider than 2m and keeping students apart at break and lunchtime would be tricky. The lack of advice around students and staff wearing PPE does not seemed to have helped. 

We have also undertaken staff training to increase the number of teachers who can run virtual lessons.  These will run alongside work set through Show My Homework.  We will be sending all our students an on-line survey to complete this week to find out what is working and what needs to be improved.  

Looking beyond this academic year, I sincerely hope that we will be able to return to normal in September but this is becoming increasingly unlikely as time ticks by.  It will, therefore, be important to plan for a mixed palate of in school lessons, 1:1 coaching and on-line learning.  

As a quick reminder of current provision:

Year 7-9   Work will continue to be set on-line and students are not expected to come into school other than for Key Worker / SEND and Vulnerable students

Year 10 1:1 Meetings have been set up for 9th and 10th June – we have already had 79% parents already signed up for this.   Teachers will continue to set work on SMHW and we are looking to extend our virtual lesson platform on Microsoft Teams. We are also looking to run some key workshops in July once we have completed the 1:1 meetings.   

Year 11  1:1 Phone Calls  have been completed and Sixth Form Induction is being planned.  GCSE levels are being submitted to the exam boards this week and  exam results will be published on 20th August. 

Year 12  1:1 Meetings have been set up for 17th June alongside work set on SMHW.  On-line lesson delivery is being extended and we are looking to plan  lessons where classes can be socially distanced later this month.

Year 13 1:1 phone calls have been completed. GCE and BTEC grades are being sent to exam boards this week are exam results are published on 13th August

Furthermore, with our 240 Year 6 students enrolling in September, we are currently liaising with Primary Schools and will look to organise individual meetings with families in July.  

 I hope you understand that our main priority has to be the health and safety of students and staff.  Whilst Covid-19 is still  in the community, we have taken cautious measures to ensure that your child’s education can continue as much as possible from home or in socially distanced environments. 

Thank you for your continued support during this difficult time. 

Dr Chris Ingate

Principal

Dr Ingate’s Blog – week beginning 1 June 2020

Dear Parents/ Carers/ Students

I hope you are well and enjoyed the lovely half term weather.  

With some  children returning to primary schools this morning, I thought it would be helpful if I clarified our position with regards to our students

Year 7-9   Work will continue to be set on line and students are not expected to come into school other than Key Worker / SEND and Vulnerable students

Year 10 1:1 Meetings have been set up for 9th and 10th June – we have already had 74% parents already signed up for this.   Teachers will continue to set work on SMHW and we are looking to extend our virtual lesson platform on Microsoft Teams. We are also looking to run some key workshops in July once we have completed the 1:1 meetings.   

Year 11  1:1 Phone Calls  have been completed and Sixth Form Induction is being planned.  GCSE levels are being submitted to the exam boards this week and  exam results will be published on 20th August. 

Year 12  1:1 Meetings have been set up for 17th June alongside work set on SMHW.  On-line lesson delivery is being extended and we are looking to plan  lessons where classes can be socially distanced later this month.

Year 13 1:1 phone calls have been completed. GCE and BTEC grades are being sent to exam boards this week are exam results are published on 13th August

Furthermore, with our 240 Year 6 students enrolling in September, we are currently liaising with Primary Schools and will look to organise individual meetings with families in July.  We are looking to plan a double induction day in September.

I hope you understand that our main priority has to be the health and safety of students and staff.  Whilst Covid-19 is still  in the community, we have taken cautious measures to ensure that your child’s education can continue as much as possible from home or in socially distanced environments.

 

Thank you for your continued support during this difficult time. 

Dr Chris Ingate

Principal

Dr Ingate’s Blog – Half-Term Break, May 2020

Dear Parents / Carers and Students

I hope you are all well and coping with these uncertain times.  

Just a few updates and reminders:

  • The school will be closed next week for half term – students are not expected to complete tasks and I would really like them to take a well-earned break.
  • We will not be planning for any classes of students to return on 1st June, other than Key Worker and Vulnerable students.  
  • 1:1 meetings have been set up for Year 10 students (9th and 10th June) and Year 12 students (17th June) – time slots are being organised so that there will only be a small number of students in at any one point, meeting their tutor in the Sports Hall for a general review meeting. 
  • We have managed to contact almost all Year 11 and 13 students to have 1:1 conversations with them about their next steps.  We will be writing to you after half term with further information regarding Examination Result collection (13th August for Sixth Form / 20th August for Year 11), Sixth Form and University enrolment.   We have been very impressed with the number of Year 11 students who have started to prepare for their A-Levels using our starter packs
  • We have nearly completed the process of finalising each Year 11 and 13’s Centre Assessed Grades for GCSE, A-Level or BTEC. These will be submitted to the relevant exam boards and then to the DfE.  Teachers have worked meticulously on this to estimate that each student achieves a grade which truly reflects their ability in each a subject.  I am sorry that we are unable to share any grades with you until the 13th or 20th August.
  • We are looking to expand our on-line teaching capacity through Microsoft Teams – so your child can interact with their teacher directly
  • We will continue to set work using SMHW and this is working very well – we will also be looking to celebrate outstanding work in June’s Birchwood News as we did for the May edition
  • We have no plans to re-start lessons at the present moment.  Teachers are being consulted about what they could offer – particularly with Year 12 in mind – but I am mindful of not forcing anyone to do anything which compromises their health and safety. We will await further guidance from the DfE with regards to Secondary School provision as this has not yet been published.
  • For children in Year 7-9, we will continue to set work on-line, give feedback and look to ways to improve virtual lessons. I hope you understand that we need to prioritise Years 10-13 as this Covid-19 pandemic continues.  There are clear signs that things are improving and that the SE England is well past the peak of infection but we do not want to contribute in any way to the spread of the infection by allowing younger children into school as they are not very good at socially distancing! 

 

Have a safe and restful half term

Dr Chris Ingate

Principal