A New Era of Schooling 14 A New Era of Schooling

During the period of lockdown Thamesmead School was one of the 6% of state schools that offered live During the period of lockdown Thamesmead School was one of the 6% of state schools that offered live During the period of lockdown Thamesmead School was one of the 6% of state schools that offered live lessons to all students from the outset. We knew how important it was going to be to keep routine in place lessons to all students from the outset. We knew how important it was going to be to keep routine in place for our students if we were to keep them motivated through the weeks of home learning ahead. The week before closure we trained all the staff and students in how to use MS Teams and ordered laptops to distriblessons to all students from the outset. We knew how important it was going to be to keep routine in place for our students if we were to keep them motivated through the weeks of home learning ahead. The week before closure we trained all the staff and students in how to use MS Teams and ordered laptops to distribute to our families where we knew there was no computer access. ute to our families where we knew there was no computer access. for our students if we were to keep them motivated through the weeks of home learning ahead. The week before closure we trained all the staff and students in how to use MS Teams and ordered laptops to distribute to our families where we knew there was no computer access. Out students had access to five 45-minute lessons daily, and a 10 minute tutor period, with their days replicating their normal timetables of lessons in school, with their regular teachers online at that time to teach them. We delivered assemblies online, and a series of house activities and other competitions too. While Out students had access to five 45-minute lessons daily, and a 10 minute tutor period, with their days replicating their normal timetables of lessons in school, with their regular teachers online at that time to teach them. We delivered assemblies online, and a series of house activities and other competitions too. While Out students had access to five 45 we know remote learning is no substitute for being in school, our students who made the most of the rewe know remote learning is no substitute for being in school, our students who made the most of the recating their normal timetables of lessons in school, with their regular teachers online at that time to teach mote provision available will have significantly reduced the learning that would have been lost during this mote provision available will have significantly reduced the learning that would have been lost during this them. We delivered assemblies online, and a series of house activities and other competitions too. While we know remote learning is no substitute for being in school, our students who made the most of the reperiod. Throughout the lockdown period we continued to have students in school whether they had parents who were key workers or we had identified them as students who would benefit greatly from the additional period. Throughout the lockdown period we continued to have students in school whether they had parents who were key workers or we had identified them as students who would benefit greatly from the additional mote provision available will have significantly reduced the learning that would have been lost during this support being in school would provide. Once permitted to bring Year 10 GCSE students back into school support being in school would provide. Once permitted to bring Year 10 GCSE students back into school period. Throughout the lockdown period we continued to have students in school whether they had parents who for face to face learning we were careful to ensure our plans included pastoral care to check on their well being during lock down. We also had a dedicated team of staff who made regular contact with students and families at home if we had any worries about their well being so that we could provide support. We for face to face learning we were careful to ensure our plans included pastoral care to check on their well being during lock down. We also had a dedicated team of staff who made regular contact with students and families at home if we had any worries about their well being so that we could provide support. We were key workers or we had identified them as students who would benefit greatly from the additional were thrilled when our local Aurora Rotary club made a generous donation of supermarket vouchers to our were thrilled when our local Aurora Rotary club made a generous donation of supermarket vouchers to our support being in school would provide. Once permitted to bring Year 10 GCSE students back into school for face to face learning we were careful to ensure our plans included pastoral care to check on their well families who receive Free School Meals. Our staff willingness to work hard to master new technology and deliver their lessons every day from home demonstrates their professionalism, commitment and care for our students. They went above and families who receive Free School Meals. Our staff willingness to work hard to master new technology and deliver their lessons every day from home demonstrates their professionalism, commitment and care for our students. They went above and being during lock down. We also had a dedicated team of staff who made regular contact with students beyond that which was expected of them during this time. Throughout this time our parent community beyond that which was expected of them during this time. Throughout this time our parent community and families at home if we had any worries about their well being so that we could provide support. We shared just how much they appreciated all that Thamesmead School was doing, and their encouraging shared just how much they appreciated all that Thamesmead School was doing, and their encouraging were thrilled when our local Aurora Rotary club made a generous donation of supermarket vouchers to our families who receive Free School Meals. messages of thanks provided motivation for our staff to keep going all the way through to the summer. We now look forward to seeing our students return to school in September, as unusual as that will be. We hope that once we start September with all of our students returned to school that we not see further messages of thanks provided motivation for our staff to keep going all the way through to the summer. We now look forward to seeing our students return to school in September, as unusual as that will be. We hope that once we start September with all of our students returned to school that we not see further Our staff willingness to work hard to master new technology and deliver their lessons every day from closures affecting schools in the same way. We have used the DfE guidance to prepare for reopening the closures affecting schools in the same way. We have used the DfE guidance to prepare for reopening the home demonstrates their professionalism, commitment and care for our students. They went above and beyond that which was expected of them during this time. Throughout this time our parent community shared just how much they appreciated all that Thamesmead School was doing, and their encouraging school and have made some key changes to ensure we are keeping our students, staff and families safe. As recommended we have planned our day to ensure that each year group is kept separate from the others. To do this we have introduced a staggered school day with Key Stage 3 and 4 starting and finishing at different times. We have also extended our break times to ensure students can access our dining facilities safely school and have made some key changes to ensure we are keeping our students, staff and families safe. As recommended we have planned our day to ensure that each year group is kept separate from the others. To do this we have introduced a staggered school day with Key Stage 3 and 4 starting and finishing at different times. We have also extended our break times to ensure students can access our dining facilities safely messages of thanks provided motivation for our staff to keep going all the way through to the summer. We and are zoning parts of the school. To reduce students moving around the school we will be trying to timeand are zoning parts of the school. To reduce students moving around the school we will be trying to timenow look forward to seeing our students return to school in September, as unusual as that will be. table students in the same room for as many lessons as we can but we hope there will be little change to table students in the same room for as many lessons as we can but we hope there will be little change to We hope that once we start September with all of our students returned to school that we not see further closures affecting schools in the same way. We have used the DfE guidance to prepare for reopening the learning itself. All practical lessons such as Science, Art, and Music will be still taught in specialist rooms so that students can have the best learning experience. Most importantly we have increased our cleaning and hygiene routines (such as regular hand washing and sanitising) to ensure students, staff, and the school learning itself. All practical lessons such as Science, Art, and Music will be still taught in specialist rooms so that students can have the best learning experience. Most importantly we have increased our cleaning and hygiene routines (such as regular hand washing and sanitising) to ensure students, staff, and the school site are as clean as possible. site are as clean as possible. school and have made some key changes to ensure we are keeping our students, staff and families safe. As All schools have been asked to have remote learning contingency plans for All schools have been asked to have remote learning contingency plans for recommended we have planned our day to ensure that each year group is kept separate from the others. To do this we have introduced a staggered school day with Key Stage 3 and 4 starting and finishing at differhow to deliver remote learning should it be needed again, and we are confident that Thamesmead School is already well ahead of many schools with our remote learning having worked so well already. This same plan will also mean that should any teachers need to self-isolate at home they can continue to teach their how to deliver remote learning should it be needed again, and we are confident that Thamesmead School is already well ahead of many schools with our remote learning having worked so well already. This same plan will also mean that should any teachers need to self-isolate at home they can continue to teach their ent times. We have also extended our break times to ensure students can access our dining facilities safely lessons to students in school so that contact is not lost. Unfortunately we have to limit the visitors on site lessons to students in school so that contact is not lost. Unfortunately we have to limit the visitors on site and are zoning parts of the school. To reduce students moving around the school we will be trying to timeto those who are essential only. Especially during the school day and therefore this does mean that we to those who are essential only. Especially during the school day and therefore this does mean that we table students in the same room for as many lessons as we can but we hope there will be little change to cannot offer physical tours of the school as we normally would. We will be doing all we can to help new parents and students get to know Thamesmead School via remote methods such as virtual tours, videos cannot offer physical tours of the school as we normally would. We will be doing all we can to help new parents and students get to know Thamesmead School via remote methods such as virtual tours, videos and webinars. and webinars. learning itself. All practical lessons such as Science, Art, and Music will be still taught in specialist rooms so that students can have the best learning experience. Most importantly we have increased our cleaning and hygiene routines (such as regular hand washing and sanitising) to ensure students, staff, and the school Please mention Shepperton Matters when responding to adverts Please mention Shepperton Matters when responding to adverts 14 14 site are as clean as possible. how to deliver remote learning should it be needed again, and we are confident that Thamesmead School www.villagematters.co.uk www.villagematters.co.uk is already well ahead of many schools with our remote learning having worked so well already. This same

The present situation means Thamesmead are not able to hold our traditional open The present situation means Thamesmead are not able to hold our traditional open events to help students and parents get to know our popular and successful school. We events to help students and parents get to know our popular and successful school. We recognise that there will be no substitute to coming to see Thamesmead in person, but recognise that there will be no substitute to coming to see Thamesmead in person, but we aim to do our best to bring the school to you. we aim to do our best to bring the school to you.

On a typical visit to Thamesmead you would see the following; On a typical visit to Thamesmead you would see the following; - - A friendly and warm welcome for students, staff and visitors alike A friendly and warm welcome for students, staff and visitors alike - - A calm school as you walk through the corridors and visit our lessons A calm school as you walk through the corridors and visit our lessons - - Well behaved, smartly dressed, and respectful students who enjoy coming to Well behaved, smartly dressed, and respectful students who enjoy coming to Thamesmead each day Thamesmead each day - - Focused classrooms with our professional staff teaching their specialist subjects Focused classrooms with our professional staff teaching their specialist subjects - - A clear focus on developing our Thamesmead character values in our learners A clear focus on developing our Thamesmead character values in our learners

We know that many of you with children in Year 6 took the opportunity to visit us last We know that many of you with children in Year 6 took the opportunity to visit us last year, so you have hopefully been able to see this with your own eyes already. year, so you have hopefully been able to see this with your own eyes already. Please check our school website www.thamesmead.surrey.sch.uk for further updates Please check our school website www.thamesmead.surrey.sch.uk for further updates about the school and admission for September 2021. about the school and admission for September 2021.