We are aware that the school year is coming to an end and everyone is keen to know what to expect in September. DE presented guidance for Special Schools on 26 June and this is being carefully considered by school management. 

There are four possible scenarios for the return to school in August 2020.

To help families to prepare, we want to give some information at this stage; however, we ask you to be aware that this may change as the situation progresses over the summer.

Hill Croft has always had a warm and welcoming atmosphere, where everyone is put at their ease. It will be our aim to maintain this environment whilst keeping everyone safe. Our pupils will see positive safety messages and all efforts will be made to establish positive and familiar routines which are comforting to them.

Timeline

September 2020 – A Blended Return

It is anticipated that at the start of term the school week will look as follows:

The current guidance states that adults should maintain 2 metres social distanced and children 1 metre if within a “bubble”. As most of our pupils are unable to social distance, the use of “bubbles” will be employed. This involves a group of staff and pupils working together, separate to others in the building. This will take place mostly in the classroom. Movement around the building will be for essential purposes only and the use of specialist rooms will be limited.  You can find out more about this here: https://bit.ly/2ZdtK16

Staff teams are currently identifying pupils within Bubble 1 and Bubble 2. Siblings will be in on the same days to assist with transport and to support families.

Curriculum

• This will be based on building relationships as well as routine. The use of bubbles will assist with this and allow time to get to know one another
• Best efforts will be made to provide as rounded a curriculum as possible within school and at home. Staff will work with parents and pupils to build the bestform of blended learning for their child based on experiences in lockdown

Uniform

• ·        Pupils will not initially be in school every day so fewer uniforms are required. Your child’s clothing should all be washed daily on their return from school. Therefore, in addition to the usual uniform, simple clothing like leggings, tracksuit bottoms, polo shirts and sweatshirts will be permissible if these are easily laundered daily.

Transport

• ·         EA are still making plans around transport and how this can work within social distance guidelines. We will provide further guidance as it becomes available.

• ·         Parents who are able, may be asked to transport their children, at least within the first few weeks of term.

• ·         Staggered start and finish times may be required.

School Meals

• ·         These will continue to be cooked on site and be provided on the days that your child is in school, these should be paid for using the school money app

• ·         We are awaiting news of how free meals will be managed if you are in receipt of payment for meals currently.

Therapies

• ·         We are working with our Physio, OT and SLTs to establish the best way of providing therapy for pupils at the start of term

• ·         Additional therapies such as music and reflexology will not be offered initially

PPE

• ·         Staff have always worn PPE when pupils are being changed or administered medication

• ·         A further level of PPE may be worn by staff based on the most up to date PHA and DE guidance

Educational Outings

• ·         These will be limited. Transport will not be available and will most likely take the form of walks in the local area

Hill Croft School is in the thoughts and prayers of Scripture Union NI as we face difficult and uncertain times.

THANK YOU for the care and commitment you show to pupils and families and the welcoming atmosphere created by your school community.

Links and contacts will be quickly renewed, once SUNI can support again through Assemblies, Bible Stories and RE lessons.

In the interim the following resources with a Christian worldview may prove useful for children and their families:

SUNI ONLINE

Mondays: Primary Assemblies / 10am / Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ScriptureUnionNI  ) & Youtube ( https://www.youtube.com/user/scriptureunionni ) Post-Primary Assemblies / 10am / Instagram (@SUNIinfo)

Wednesdays: Primary SU Group Material / 1PM / Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ScriptureUnionNI ) Post-primary SU Group Material / 3PM / Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ScriptureUnionNI ) & possibly Instagram (@SUNIinfo) too.

Fridays: Family Devotions / 10am / Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/ScriptureUnionNI ) Saddleback kids – http://www.saddlebackkids.com  Worship for Everyone - https://worshipforeveryone.com  Play it by ear - https://en-gb.facebook.com/pg/playitbyeardrama/notes  Crossroads Kids Club - crossroadskidsclub.net

The Good Book Company – www.thegoodbook.co.uk  for resources and videos

Due to COVID-19 and the closure of schools the expected Summer Scheme cannot run.

We are very aware that the time away from school due to lockdown has been stressful and difficult for many of our pupils and their families.

We are now able to offer some very limited summer respite provision from Mon 20- Thurs 30 July.

Strand 1 – In-school respite provision

• 3x 2 hour morning sessions on consecutive days – e.g. Mon, Tues, Wed. 10am -12noon

Pupils prioritised for these sessions are ones identified through multi-agency discussion

Strand 2 – Supervised play sessions

• 18 x 1 hour slots will be available across the two weeks for pupils not receiving Strand 1 support – playground or in event of poor weather, indoor provision. One child per session
• These will be offered on a first come, first served basis
• Slots will be allocated in advance and families will agree to the protocol supplied

In addition, all pupils will have access to EA online sessions from entertainers similar to those who would normally come to the Summer Scheme.

Action to be taken urgently:

If you would like to register your interest in Strand 2 play sessions please do the following:

• Send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. stating your child’s name, your name and provide a contact phone number.
• Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Only applications sent through this email address will be considered
• A waiting list will be created
• A member of the team will be in contact with you shortly

Pupils in Junior School (age 5-11) if your child is struggling and you feel it would be good for them to speak to our counsellor please use the link below to make a referral for support:

https://imagineif.org.uk/primary-special-schools

Pupils in Senior school (age 12-19) if your young person is struggling and you feel the counsellor may be of help please read the letter attached with details of how you can get in touch and make a referral. PDF download is below for Senior pupils.

Attachments:

How to make a new counselling request.pdf

[How to make a new counselling request]

145 kB

Please find attached PDFs of challenges we have had on the Facebook page over the last few weeks.

Attachments:

Facebook Daily Challenges Week Ending 10th April 2020.pdf	[Facebook Daily Challenges Week Ending 10th April 2020]	79 kB
Facebook Daily Challenges Week Ending 27th March 2020.pdf	[Facebook Daily Challenges Week Ending 27th March 2020]	60 kB
Facebook Daily Challenges Week Ending 3rd April 2020.pdf	[Facebook Daily Challenges Week Ending 3rd April 2020]	59 kB

One of our teachers Holly has been involved in making this video to help explain coronavirus. Please watch and stay safe!

Parents/Carers, Please see this useful guidance from Barnardos on managing the COVID-19 crisis at home with your children and young people.

Attachments:

COVID-19 Parent Information_.pdf

[COVID-19 Parent Information]

385 kB

Beating the Virus: a free downloadable story

We hope you are keeping well in these difficult times.  

Our big news is that we are in the process of creating a special resource about Coronavirus. The current pictures are in black and white. We are making them available now for free for anyone who is in urgent need.

In the story, we meet Kali again (some of you might recognise her from 'Belonging') when she starts to feel poorly with a cough and a temperature. Our short wordless story will help people to understand what to do if you have Coronavirus (COVID-19) to keep yourself and those you care about safe. The story also shows how you can safely help others who may be self-isolating.

Supplementary text at the end of the story gives information on where people can seek help if they are unwell and signposts to other useful resources.

This is an evolving resource which we will be updating regularly as our artist, Lucy Bergonzi, refines and colours the pictures.

You can download your copy, here: https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/downloads-shop/beating-the-virus