Church Road, Astwood Bank Redditch, Worcestershire, B96 6EH 01527 892 681 [email protected] An Update on Remote Learning Dear Parents and Carers, So far we have had a trouble-free start to the new academic year, with teachers and children adjusting very well to the ‘new norm’ at school. We are confident that our current provision is one that not only delivers a broad and bal- anced curriculum but keeps everyone safe at the same time. We’re doing everything to limit the chances of spreading illness but we must be ready for any eventuality. Now is the time to be proactive, so over the summer and into the start of this term, the leadership team evaluated our readiness for further remote learning. You might remember that we listened to your views on home learning in a recent survey. We are also grateful to those who made use of our key stage email service, which led to some im- portant feedback about how we might continue to improve our online learning provision. Your comments challenged us to think about what more we can do, and so in collaboration with all teaching staff, we have adapted our approach to remote learning. We feel well-prepared to help pupils learn at home if they need to self-isolate, and to continue education for all pupils in the event of localised school closures. Our aim is to make sure that, if the time comes, we’re providing the right support for you and your child at home. So what’s new? We’ve purchased new learning platforms which will enable us to deliver remote learning in an instant. ‘Purple Mash’ is one of our new platforms for blended learning, which also enables us to deliver complete remote educa- tion. It is packed with features that make it easy for us to deliver an exciting curriculum online. Every child at Astwood Bank Primary will receive a Purple Mash subscription which includes unlimited free home access for every child. From this platform, teachers can quickly upload worksheets, presentations and tasks for all children. Children can even submit their work and receive feedback on how they have done. Purple Mash is accessible to all year groups. What’s more, we will be reaching out to our children via Zoom at least twice a week. These sessions will enable teachers to have regular contact with their class at the beginning and middle of the week. What’s staying the same? Teachers will be uploading content on a weekly basis via class pages on the school website. They will also be mak- ing use of the many subscriptions at their disposal including: MyMaths, Deepening Understanding, White Rose Maths, Discovery Espresso, TT Rockstars and Active Learn ‘Rapid Reader’. This learning will always be in line with the National Curriculum and a direct extension of our schemes of learning. Furthermore, a weekly assembly will be uploaded onto the teacher stories page of our website for children to enjoy. Of course, the key stage email service will resume so you’ll be able to contact a member of the leadership team if needed. In the mean time, teachers will begin to familiarise children with the new learning platforms. You’ll soon receive a letter with details of your child’s login details. We will also be signposting parents to video tutorials and other online user-guides because we acknowledge that parents play a huge part in delivering home learning. Best wishes, The Staff Team. Remote Learning at ABPS Purple Mash School Website Zoom Meetings Teachers set work, games Class pages are used to Teachers deliver two live/ & activities. Children can deliver additional learning pre-recorded sessions per submit work and receive materials. Assemblies up- week. feedback. loaded weekly. Existing Subscriptions Well-being Support for Parents Discovery Espresso Teachers will make Senior leaders will Rapid Reader additional phone calls on monitor key stage email TT Rockstars some occasions. accounts and provide White Rose Maths regular support. Key Stage Support (to be activated during remote learning) [email protected] (Reception & Year 1) [email protected] (Years 3 & 4) UpperKS2astwoodbank.worcs.sch.uk (Years 5 & 6) .