Parents and Carers Be Long

PARENTS AND CARERS BE LONG

INSIDE: Returning to college Boosting family positivity.

Responding to your parent survey feedback

WE'RE HERE TO HELP The wellbeing of our students is one of our top priorities. We know from reading your responses to our survey it’s one of yours too.

Managing your child's screen time.

From the long hours spent online and the loss of their social life to the

Supporting your child's

understandable anxiety about assessment, the latest lockdown is challenging

mental health during

for everyone.

the pandemic.

Improving communication at

But we also know that young people are resilient, and we have pulled

home.

together the following advice to help you support your young people to thrive.

Empowering home learning.

Progression planning.

We hope you enjoy reading this e-magazine and find some useful advice.

Remember you can contact us at any time to discuss your child's individual needs.

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KEEPING YOU SAFE AT COLLEGE Key Dates: 8 March = College reopens

24 March = Admissions Day

COVID-19 Information and the return to College March 2021

We are eager to welcome all students

in and around the site other than when

back to College and have set out

you are eating and drinking. The

below how we intend to manage our

requirement to wear a face covering in

return. As always, student safety and

lessons will be in place for the three

wellbeing, and that of our college

weeks before Easter.

staff, is of utmost importance and has guided our approach.

8 - 12 March = Year 13 & Level 2

(no remote or oncampus learning)

29 March

Return to College Timetable:

As you are aware, the Government has

students on-campus learning.

asked us to provide testing for all our

Year 12 students remote

students to try and identify any

learning.

asymptomatic Covid cases to further

15 - 19 March = Year 12 students

-

reduce community transmission. We are

on-campus learning.

11 April =

keen to play our part and contribute to

Year 13 & Level 2 students

this important public good. To achieve

remote learning.

Easter Holidays

12 April = All students return

this we need to take a staggered

22 & 23 March

approach to our return, as providing

students on-campus learning.

over 7000+ tests is quite a logistical

Year 12 students remote

challenge.

learning.

24 March = Admissions Day

to on-campus learning

= Year 13 & Level 2

All our previous safety protocols

work set to complete.

remain, with the temporary addition

25 & 26 March =Year 12 students

that students will be required to wear

on-campus learning

face coverings in lessons unless you are

Year 13 & Level 2 students

exempt. Students will need to continue

remote learning

to wear their face covering

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LATERAL FLOW TESTING CENTRE Long Road Sixth Form College Lateral Flow Testing Centre

Click here

to

watch our Testing Whilst testing is voluntary (for both staff

If you would like to know more about

and students), we really encourage

our on-campus testing centre please

students to take part. Even if we only

click here to watch our walk through

find a few asymptomatic cases, that’s

video.

Centre walk through video so you know what to expect when

fewer people transmitting in the community while the vaccine roll out

Please note: the college test centre is

continues.

for

ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING ONLY.

taking part in on-campus

If your child experiences any COVID-19 Please encourage your child to respond

symptoms, please stay at home and

to the survey sent out last week opting

book a test by clicking here.

college testing.

in or out of testing. If they do not respond to this survey, they can still

Home Testing Kits

take part in testing by attending the

If you are 18+ and are in a household,

test centre with the rest of their class

childcare or support bubble with

when they are collected for testing.

someone who works or is a student at a primary school, secondary school or

Testing will take place from Monday

sixth form college you can order a

8th March to Friday 26th March

lateral flow home test kit by clicking

in the Sport Centre. We will organise

here.

the testing by class groups. Once your child has had three onsite tests, we are permitted to give you home testing kits to use thereafter.

Click here

to

order your Lateral Flow Home Testing Kit

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How often have we, as parents,

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BOOSTING FAMILY POSITIVITY AT HOME

By Andrea Danese, Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at King’s College London

felt frustrated or irritable during lockdown? How many times have we found ourselves snapping in

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed

Build new routines

how we live as individuals and as

When old routines, like those from work

families. We are uncertain about the

or school, are lost, it is helpful to build

future and we are limited in what we

new routines by writing down a plan

can do. It’s not surprising that we may

together with your children. Encourage

sometimes struggle to feel happy and

them to stick to the plan and to notice

motivated.

how they feel as a result.

Unfortunately, we can’t magically

Don't forget the essentials

change our feelings. However, we can

Mealtimes are also a really important

work to change our behaviour, which in

time to ensure that the family get

turn can influence our emotions.

together, talk, and have fun or even

situations that we could usually take in our stride?

Our moods simply reflects that we have all been facing a difficult situation and need to find better ways of coping with it.

dress up for a special occasion.Also

Be kind to yourself

make sure to keep in touch with friends

It’s crucial to recognise that you’ve

and other family members.

been doing the best job you can in a very difficult situation and to avoid

Make time for things you enjoy

comparing yourself with others who

It has never been more important to

might have been living in very different

find new and creative ways of having

circumstances. Be kind to yourself.

fun and enjoying life. encourage your children to try something new so they can feel a sense of accomplishment

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MOOD BOOST MARCH Supporting Our Students Wellbeing

Thank you to

Earlier this year we contacted you, our

Starting this week and continuing until

wonderful parents & carers (and your

the Easter holidays, we will be focusing

fabulous children) to find out how we

on the 4 main areas that you told us

could better support you during

you are most worried about –

lockdown 3 - huge thank you to

motivation, sleep, anxiety and effective

everyone who responded!

remote learning.

everyone who completed our parent survey earlier this year.

In response, we What we found is that we really are all

We’ll be sharing lots of advice on all of

in the same boat, many people had the

these topics, which you can find by

same worries surrounding lockdown

clicking here to visit our website

and the impact it is having on students

noticeboard, or across our social

across the UK. We’ve been working

media.

to be launching,

Mood Boost March!

We have also created our Mood Boost March Wellbeing Calendar with 31 different mood-boosting activities that

Mood Boost March is all about

will help improve your own, and others,

improving your wellbeing and helping

wellbeing! You can check it out by

you to look after yourself as we

clicking here.

navigate our way through lockdown 3 and the lifting of restrictions.

Mood Boost March to support our students to get motivated,

hard behind the scenes in response to all your lovely feedback and are happy

have launched

deal with anxiety, get a good nights sleep & work effectively from home!

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Family Lives

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PARENTING TEENS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

By Dr. John Coleman at Family Lives

Family Lives provides support to families who are struggling.

If you are

Being stuck at home for weeks on end

Screen Time

will be a huge test for all families. Even

The simplest thing to say about this is,

et on reasonably

if parents and teens g

do not worry about screen time in

well, there may be problems that arise

these circumstances. We are all

because of being in the home day

connecting online. Teens need all the

after day.

contact they can get with their friendship network. Also, much of their

concerned and would like to talk things through with a member of their team please contact them on

Space

school work will be delivered online so

However small or cramped your home,

the digital world becomes a lifeline.

try to find a space for your teen to feel that they can own. If they have their

Eating and Sleeping

own bedroom, allow them more privacy

Things like eating and sleeping are

than normal circumstances.

often markers of how young people are coping. It is good for parents to be

0808 800 2222 or askus@familylives. org.uk

Time and Routines

alert to how these things might have

One way to manage anxiety is to

changed under these new

create daily routines. This is true for us

circumstances. Do not be adverse

all, but especially for teens. Create a

about discussing health issues with your

routine for managing time for the day

teenager. Talking about such matters

and the evening with your teen so it

shows them that you care about them

works for them as well as other

and their welfare.

members of the family.

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MANAGING YOUR CHILDS ONLINE WORLD WITHOUT CLASHING

By Stevie Goulding, Parents Helpline Manager for the charity Young Minds

It’s important to remember that the internet can

Young people have faced a huge

reality and encourage them to talk to

range of pressures throughout the

you if they're struggling.

pandemic. Throughout this period

offer huge opportunities during this

young people’s screen time has risen

Set realistic boundaries

significantly as they try to keep in touch

Whatever their age, it’s a good idea to

with friends and continue their

sit down together with your child to

Try not to worry

education.

agree some rules about how much time

too much about

they spend online. It might feel quite

Lead by example

difficult to set boundaries during the

Children of all ages generally look to

daytime, especially at the moment, but

their parents as role models, so your

you could agree that meal times are

own use of screens may influence what

screen free, and they shouldn’t go

they consider 'normal'. For example, if

online just before bed or use any

you check your phone constantly at

devices at night, because this can

mealtimes or spend a lot of time online

affect their sleep.

yourself, then it’s likely your child might do the same.

Spend time together away from screens

Discuss how to keep it positive

Time away from what's going on online

Talk to your child about your own

can help us feel calmer. Spend time

positive and negative experiences of

together doing a positive offline

the online world. Help them understand

activity, such as going for a walk.

that social media doesn't always show

uncertain time.

how much time they’re spending online and instead focus on how they can use their time online in a way that’s safe and positive for their mental health.

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It is normal for your child to be experiencing worries and anxiety as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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SIGNS OF MENTAL ILL-HEALTH & WHAT TO DO

By Dr Pooky Knightsmith, child mental health expert

Most of us have been feeling more

Look for changes in your childs

anxious than usual recently, and that is

behaviour and how they speak to you.

completely normal. But how do you recognise when your child is

Have a two-way conversation, but try

experiencing more serious mental

not to make it too much about you.

health difficulties?

Look for physical signs of mental ill-

If you are concerned it

Try these tips to help you understand

health, such as being more withdrawn,

your childs mental health...

being exhausted all the time or a change in appetite.

could be Check in with your child every day to

something more serious, the YoungMinds Parent Helpline

create a feeling of openness. Chatting

Remember, if you are worried then you

while walking is a good way of doing

can always contact your childs

this; not making eye contact is known

Progress Coach or our Student Welfare

to help children and teens to open up.

team. We are here to support both you and your child.

can offer you expert advice and support.

Try not to ask questions that your child can answer with "I'm fine" as this shuts down the conversation. Instead ask open-ended questions like "what would you like me to know about today?"

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SUPPORTING TEENS MENTAL HEALTH DURING LOCKDOWN Family Lives

about mental

Young people are facing particular

Be there for them

issues due to COVID-19. There is a

They need to know that you love them,

huge amount of loss, partly because

and that no matter what happens, you

the normal structure of their lives has

will do your very utmost to help. If it is

disappeared. It is not surprising that

possible, think about things you can do

some young people feel cheated and

together that will show them that you

angry. If your child is experiencing

are there for them. Perhaps you can

mental health difficulties then try these

cook their favourite meal?

Getting the conversation started Acknowledge their distress

Try to encourage them to talk at every

Find a way of letting your teenager

opportunity. If the first or second

know that you are aware of their

attempt does not work, just make it

distress, and that you want to help. The

clear that you are always going to be

aim is to ensure that they do not shut

available to listen. There is no right or

down and stay open to talk to you.

wrong, you may not know what to say and that is ok too. Keep in mind that

Reassurance is key

you don’t have to say anything. In a

Let your teen know that whatever they

difficult situation, just being there,

say, you will not be shocked, angry or

being available to listen may be

frightened by their thoughts and

enough.

cope and will be there for them.

health problems when everyone, no matter what their situation, is struggling with the challenges of COVID-19. It is an exceptionally

methods to support them.

feelings. You are strong enough to

It is hard to talk

hard time for us all.

If you would like expert help please contact

Family Lives

on

0808 800 2222 or askus@familylives. org.uk

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Let them know you are not judging them or their behaviour.

Your teen might feel overwhelmed so choose your actions sensitively.

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SUPPORTING TEENS MENTAL HEALTH DURING LOCKDOWN Family Lives

Wall of silence

Managing your own anxiety

If your teen does not want to talk, here

One of the key challenges for parents

are some other options. Perhaps your

who are at home with their teen will be

teenager might feel more comfortable

to find a way of managing their own

in sending you a text, message or email

anxiety. The more anxious you are as a

about their feelings. You could also

parent, the harder it will be for the

suggest to them writing down their

young person to accept support.

thoughts or feelings or perhaps

The only way to open up

drawing or colouring in. Sometimes it is

Young people worry about the effect

helpful to get feelings out of your head

of their distress on their parents. In

and onto a piece of paper.

most cases, they want to be able to protect their parents, no matter how

communication is to show that you will be really

Shout is a text service for anyone in

troubled they are themselves. They also

crisis, struggling to cope and in need

go through a stage when they want to

immediate help. Text Shout to 85258.

keep things to themselves. This is a

listening to them.

normal part of teenage development.

Social media can help Research has shown that, for some,

You will be more able to provide help if

social networking can provide support

you are open about managing your

and reassurance. It may be a great

anxiety.

platform to help your teen reach out and talk to others during this period of isolation.

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CONVERSATION, NOT CONFRONTATION

If you, as a parent, can step

Dr John Coleman, Family Lives

back and think Parents and teenagers need to be able

had during the early years. Parents

to talk together. Yet in so many

matter because they provide the

families this turns out to be a major

endorsement, the love and the

problem. Parents feel the teenager

structure that makes a young person

won’t listen, and teenagers feel exactly

feel safe and secure.

about the needs of the teenager, communication will improve.

the same: that their parents aren’t listening.

Secondly, teenagers do want to talk to their parents. They want to talk, and

Parents have the sense that the young

they will talk, but in a way that feels

person prefers to talk to their friends

safe to them. This means the adult

and no longer has any respect for their

talking in a manner that makes the

opinions. The teenager feels that he or

young person feel their views are

she is still being treated as a child and

respected. Good communication has

their parents are only digging for

to be a two-way street. Talking and

information. It is not surprising that

listening go hand in hand.

these misunderstandings lead to a situation where both sides feel irritated

Thirdly teenagers do need some

and frustrated with each other. What

privacy. Teenagers need space and

can we do about this?

time to sort things out in their own minds. This means they will talk to their

First, parents of teenagers do matter.

parents, but not necessarily at the

You matter hugely, it is just that you

precise time that suits the adult.

have a different role from the one you

You have a key role to play.

If you can listen, your teenager will talk.

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To have a good conversation it needs to be the right time. Your body language also tells the

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HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNICATION AT HOME Suzy Hayman, Family Lives

Although you may be spending all day,

find it hard to put into words what they

every day at home with your child this

are feeling and often can't deal with

doesn't mean that you regularly

the emotion they're feeling because

communicate.

they don't actually know what it is. You can help them identify their emotions

other person if you're listening to them, use it to

If you want to communicate with your

and discuss healthy ways of dealing

teenager, it's important to think about

with them.

what you really want to say and choose

engage with

your moment. If you want to tell them

Bonding conversations can be short

them. Use

how fed up you are about something,

and sweet or long and involved. They

having that conversation when they are

can need time and space with a cup of

tired or fed up, or already in a mood,

coffee to allow you both quality time to

will only lead to arguments.

talk and listen, and enjoy each other's

reflective and active listening, not interrupting.

Leaving physical

company. You can also have these kind When you are trying to communicate

of conversations while washing up, or

and verbal space

with your teenager, it can help to be

on a car journey.

for the other

able to name both your feelings and

person are all essential.

theirs. Many of us pick up from our

Communication that bonds you

parents and other influences the idea

together can give your teen a chance

that some feelings are bad, not things

to open up and tell you important

we should be feeling. In reality all

things about themselves and their lives.

feelings are natural and having them is

The important aspect is that you need

normal. Teenagers particularly can

to seize the opportunity when it arises.

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SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD TO STUDY FROM HOME

We are often presented with an

Emma, a writer, teacher, public speaker & professional blogger

image of a lazy Revision and studying are essential

dream job one day. Talk to your teen

skills that teenagers need to learn.

about why they need to do something.

Many students find studying at home

Give studying a purpose.

challenging; as parents, we can

teenager.

Such thinking, while

encourage a teenager to study if we

Secondly a pleasant environment, I

implement some strategies. Many

honestly believe not having a cluttered

teenagers simply do not know how best

work area helps. A cluttered space is

to start studying. As a parent, it can be

not easy to work in. Have a work space

misguided and

frustrating when we want to support

in their rooms or in a communal area of

doesn’t help us

our teenager’s learning but don’t know

the house that they associate with

how best to help them.

working. If your teenager is easily distracted the dining table can be

Firstly teenagers need to understand

ideal.

something they don’t see the value in

Show interest in what they are studying

or even interests them is still part of

and ask questions about it. This will

learning. Helping teenagers see

help consolidate their understanding.

meaningless tasks as part of life’s

pass on. Getting school work done is

Healthy snacks need to be on hand.

Remember how you slump if your

necessary for a teen who wants to get

blood sugar drops and how tired you

into the university course of their

can become late afternoon.

choice, or to be considered for their

is essentially

motivate, encourage, reward, and support our

the ‘why’. Whether it is learning

greater goals is a valuable message to

understandable,

teenagers.

Many have the desire to do well but need support to make that happen.

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We all want our children to do

BE

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SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD TO STUDY FROM HOME Emma, a writer, teacher, public speaker & professional blogger

well.

We all like being praised and treated, a

Teenagers, like all of us will have a

reward can be verbal but also there is

preferred learning style. It is important

nothing wrong with the odd treat, I will

to establish what methods work for

positive role

sometimes make a lovely hot chocolate

each individual. Some will be auditory

model and

with all the trimmings after finishing off

learners, some kinesthetic and others

a project.

visual learners. Understanding learning

We can be a

support their

styles is important when it comes to

learning in many I believe in motivating our teenagers

ways and this can

too, like we would work harder if a pay

be the difference

rise or promotion is on the cards, our

between success

teenagers will also be motivated by

and failure.

appropriate external rewards.

Little and often works best. No one benefits from leaving homework, revision or projects to the last minute that just causes tension and fraught words. Have a plan where you have set times for work and play. Write deadlines and key dates on a family calendar and then they don’t surprise you.

studying at home.

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5 TIPS TO EMPOWER YOUR CHILD WHILE HOME LEARNING

We must learn to adapt to

Yes Futures

changing times To ensure teenagers are still

Let them teach you!

developing independence and

When it comes to home learning,

essential life skills at home, we as

everyone is a learner! Let them finish

parents and educators must empower

the day by teaching you about what

them. We've put together some simple

they’ve learnt. You'll be amazed at

tips on how you can do this at home

what they can do, plus you might learn something new yourself!

Support them to establish a routine A schedule is important to provide

Allow space for them to express

structure. Their college timetable is a

their emotions

great place to start as they should be

Everyone is likely to experience anxiety

attending all their virtual lessons. Let

and mixed emotions during this time,

them draw up a schedule of how to use

but especially teenagers who are

their independent learning time.

already undergoing a lot of changes.

Make space through reflective chats,

Give them more responsibility

quiet walks or private journaling.

This is a chance to give them an opportunity to demonstrate their skills

Social Interation

and contribute. Ask them to choose

Mobile phones are essential to keep in

some ways they can help the family get

touch with friends and family. Ask them

through this time. Can they help cook

to decide their own ‘online’ time and

some meals? Organise a games night

reward them when they stick to it!

during the week?

and make sure we keep our young people on track for success.

We believe the route to a successful homeworking practice is through empowerment.

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Making a checklist of

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REMOVING REMOTE LEARNING DISTRACTIONS Reach Out

everything they need on hand for an effective study session is a good

As the parent or carer of a teenager

difference between the space where

facing remote learning, knowing how

they do homework and the space

to help them reduce distractions is

where they relax. If your teenager is in

important.

the habit of studying on the couch, or

starting point.

By going through the checklist at the start of

in bed, it might be more difficult for

ABC Method

them to feel focused on work.If it’s

The ABC technique is a proven method

possible, set up a dedicated study

that many people find useful for

space that they only use for their

ignoring distractions.

studies.

A is for awareness – the recognition

everyday, they’ll

of what the distraction is.

Headphones can help

have everything

B stands for breathing deeply –

It’s amazing how much noise-

time to slow down and think about

cancelling headphones can do to

your options.

reduce the audio clutter of distracting

C is for choice. By choosing

household sounds, including washing

mindfully, the distraction can be

machines humming, or other family

dealt with – either by responding to

members talking. Research shows that

it in some way or dismissing it.

listening to instrumental music can

handy to help them get stuck into a focused burst of remote learning

improve concentration, help them find

Dedicated work space

a soundtrack that helps them tackle

One of the main reasons that students

their studies in a positive way.

are easily distracted during study time is that there is often almost no

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AFTER LONG ROAD PROGRESSION AFTER LOCKDOWN Youth Employment UK - Long Road Careers E-Mag

Although it can be difficult to think ahead at

The COVID-19 pandemic has

completed at their own pace and they

dramatically effected university studies

will receive a certificate for their CV or

and employment opportunities. Parents

personal statement for every course

across the UK are worried about what

completed!

progression planning can be a key motivator to

progression route will be the most secure and the best option for their

Careers and Progression E-Mag

child.

Did you know our Careers & Progression Department publish a

While we don't have all the answers, we

this time,

keep them engaged with remote learning.

fortnightly e-magazine?

can provide you with resources that can help boost your child's CV and

Each magazine is full of content

UCAS personal statement in

relevant to students at Long Road,

preparation for their progression after

including topical articles and

Long Road.

progression advice for a variety of

Click here to read our Careers and Progression emagazine!

pathways including University,

Young Professional Training Youth Employment UK provide free training courses for young people aged 14-24 to help boost life skills. Their Journey to Work programme is a series of 8 free courses that will help your child boost their skills and career confidence. These courses can be

Apprenticeships and Gap Years.

Click here to visit the Youth Employment UK website.

PARENTS AND CARERS BE LONG

01223 631100

enquiries@longroad.ac.uk

www.longroad.ac.uk

Long Road Sixth Form College

@LR6FC

@lr6fc