Tall Oaks Academy Trust Lockdown Statement – 4^th January 2021

To parents, carers and families of Castle Wood, Mercer’s Wood and White’s Wood Academies,

As of 8pm tonight England has entered a full lockdown meaning that all of our schools will close from immediate effect for face to face teaching and learning.

A summary of the plan is detailed below and further information will be communicated with you tomorrow.

Tuesday 5^th January – schools will be closed to all pupils so that online learning can be planned and key worker/vulnerable group provision can be organised. (staffing, learning and food). You will receive further information regarding on-line provision for those children who have to be at home.

Wednesday 6^th January onwards – school will be open only to children of key workers and vulnerable pupils. You will be contacted regarding how you can access this offer tomorrow. The opening times will be 8.30 am – 3.00 pm.

I know that this may cause inconvenience and anxiety to some of our families and I apologise for the late delivery of this information.

Please be assured we will endeavour to give you full details tomorrow and will work in partnership to support and help you.

Emotional Wellbeing Support

How do you look after your mental and emotional wellbeing?

Understandably, you may find that social distancing can be boring or frustrating. You may find your mood and feelings are affected and you may feel low, worried or have problems sleeping and you might miss being outside with other people.

At times like these, it can be easy to fall into unhealthy patterns of behaviour which in turn can make you feel worse. There are simple things you can do that may help, to stay mentally and physically active during this time such as:

• look for ideas of exercises you can do at home on the NHS website.
• spend time doing things you enjoy – this might include reading, cooking, other indoor hobbies or listening to the radio or watching TV programmes.
• try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, drink enough water, exercise regularly, and try to avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs.
• keep your windows open to let in fresh air, get some natural sunlight if you can, or get outside into the garden.

Further information on looking after your mental health during this time is available, please see some of the below links:

Kooth www.kooth.co.uk   

Free, safe and anonymous online service for young people.

MeeTwo MeeTwo  wwwmeetwo.co.uk     

This is an award winning free fully moderated app for young people, which provides peer support, expert help, inbuilt educational and creative resources as well as in app links to UK charities and helplines.

Childline - www.childline.org.uk or 0800 11 11   

Free, private and confidential service where children and young people can talk to a professional about anything.

ELSA Support - www.elsa-support.co.uk

Resources you can download for home education.

Samaritans - www.samaritans.org or 116 123

Mind - www.mind.org.uk

Every Mind Matters has now released expert advice and top tips on how to look after your mental wellbeing if you need to stay at home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. It also includes guidance if you’re feeling worried or anxious about the outbreak.
 

Please visit: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

Snow and Ice

When adverse weather conditions are being experienced, that is when ice and snow are on the ground, all children and adults who come on to the school site are requested to only use the treated footways. We would also strongly advise parents not to use our car park, particularly at the beginning of the school day.

If you do not bring your child to school, please could you make your child aware of this instruction.

Your continued support in keeping our school site safe is very much appreciated.

School Closure

In the unlikely event that we are required to close the school due to extreme weather conditions or an emergency situation, parents will be informed by the following means of communication:

• Through our Twitter pages

• Through the school's Text Messaging Service

• On the school website

• Via local radio: BBC Radio Lincolnshire and Lincs FM

We will always endeavor to notify parents at the earliest opportunity to enable them to make alternative childcare arrangements if necessary.