Dear Parents, Carers & Pupils,

Welcome to our new weekly update on all that is happening in the new virtual world of Verulam. I realise that it is difficult to keep track of a host of emails and so we will, where possible, confine our communication to one weekly update.

I do hope all parents, carers and pupils are well and are coping with the rigours of this new world.

Despite the school’s closure this week we have been busy recruiting staff by video interview, holding virtual meetings to address key issues and opening our “skeleton school” for the first week of learning.

Can I remind all parents, carers and pupils that the school remains closed and that entry is prohibited in order to minimise the risk of infection.

Key Workers

Last week, we asked you to complete the Key Worker Survey which was sent to you as a form in parentmail, as your child is able to continue to access education during the closure.

In order to help us determine staffing levels, we have written, and will continue to write, to all of you who replied every week to get your update for the week to follow, regardless whether you indicated on the initial survey if you needed to bring in your child(ren) or not.

The update survey will be sent out every Thursday. We would ask you to complete the survey by 2pm on the Friday of each week.

If you didn’t complete the survey but you qualify as a key worker, please email admin@verulam.herts and we will include you in future communications.

Likewise, if you registered your child and your circumstances have changed, please let us know on the same email address.

Year 11 and 13 Trial Exams

Trial exam results will be published on Friday 3 April via My Child At School.

These are the results of the recent exams. THEY ARE NOT THE CALCULATED GRADES WE WILL BE SENDING TO THE GOVERNMENT.

We are still waiting for guidance from the DfE about Calculated Grades. We will update parents and pupils as soon as we have this information.

The link below is useful for updates: https://www.aqa.org.uk/coronavirus-updates

Please do not contact teaching staff regarding Trial Examinations or Calculated Grades.

Work for Pupils

From Monday we move into phase two of our work setting strategy.

Individual teachers will now be setting work for their classes. All work is being set through Show My Homework.

Google Classroom

Students should be logging into Google Classroom using their Verulam email accounts, not their person- al email addresses.

ShowMyHomeWork

How to upload work can be found on this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8H1dNptnrY

Easter

The Easter holiday commences on Friday 3rd April. Although the “skeleton school” will remain open for children of key workers teaching staff will not be set- ting lessons/work during the two weeks of the Easter holidays. Ideas for activities during Easter can be found in the attached document.

The Government’s latest guidance on Coronavirus and staying at home can be found below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others

The full copy of Verulam Voice can be downloaded here

Documents