Dear Students/ Parents/ Carers

This morning felt weird!  I went into school this morning on what should have been the start of the summer term.  It took me 15 minutes to drive 15 miles from my home on the uncrowded A120.    I was met with an empty carpark at 8:15am.  I was soon joined by a small group of dedicated staff and children from key worker families who we have also looked after over the Easter Holiday. 

Today, there have been a number of virtual planning meetings by teachers – these meetings have primarily focussed on the setting of work for students and the initial preparation for calculating teacher assessed GCSE and A-Level grades.

 With homework, we will continue to set work for Year 7-10 and 12. We have listened to the positive feedback we have received so far and have also noted that younger students in particular prefer to have longer deadlines and focussed work that lasts no more than 30mins.  Teachers will also be looking at ways for their classes to complete on-line assessments so they can receive feedback.   You may well have seen this already but BBC Bitesize have just launched extra lessons to help with home learning and new lessons are being added every day – there might be something good you could use?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/dailylessons

If you are a Year 11 or 13 student, we will be writing to you on Friday with details regarding your next steps in terms of exam results and progression onto Post-16 or Post-18.  We will also be phoning every Year 11 and 13 student over the next 3 weeks to have a 1:1 conversation with you to offer support as well as answer any questions you may have. Ofqual have produced a video explaining how grades will be awarded this summer: Grading in 2020 – information for students – BSL signed

And then of course there is the big question – when will schools re-open?  There has certainly been a lot of speculation and rumour in the media.  At Birchwood, we will have to wait to be directed by the DfE and we will respond as soon as we know.  The good news is that new Covid-Cases are flat-lining and fatalities are beginning to slow. We will all need to continue to do our ‘bit’ and hope for better days. 

Thank you for your continuing support

Dr Ingate

Principal