Parents
We have been very pleased with the feedback from our previous parent surveys and now have a new system to gather the views of parents and carers. You can give your views of our school at any time of the school year and at the time of a school inspection using an online questionnaire called Parent View. Read More >>
Parent Support Adviser
Our Parent Support Adviser is Mrs Wilkinson – if you have the need for information or advice on a range of topics such as:
– Attendance issues
– Your child’s behaviour at home
– Advice on housing, benefits, Free School Meals etc
Or, you just want someone to talk to, then Mrs Wilkinson can help.
Follow the PSA twitter feed by clicking on the link below:
For more details of what her role will entail and how she can help, follow the link below:
The smAll Saints Parent and Toddler Playgroup meet every Thursday morning from 9-10:30am through term time.
There are a wide range of stimulating activities for the children…and a chance for a cuppa and a chat for the adults! At only 50p per adult and 50p per child it’s a bargain too! Come along, we’d love to meet you.
Mental Well-being for children
Dragonfly have produced this free booklet dealing with stress and anxiety levels in children. It also gives some tips and advice for parents on how to best support their children.
Click on the link below to access the booklet:
Thinking about which High School you should choose?
When children reach Year 5 the prospect of their secondary education becomes that much more of a reality.
The decision about which High school is the right one for your child should not be taken lightly.
Below are links to the local schools that our children tend to go to when they leave us. Please look through them all when deciding which will best fit your child’s needs.
http://www.barnsley-academy.org/ Barnsley Academy
http://www.dearnealc.co.uk/ The Dearne ALC
http://www.netherwoodschool.com/information/ Netherwood ALC
After school clubs
Our after school clubs run from Monday to Thursday and finish at 4:30. There is a small cost for attendance.
Keep an eye out for future after school clubs….we would love to see you there.
Covid 19
Government guidance to support home learning
Clicking on the links below will take you through to a DfE document which gives general advice and links to websites and organisations that can support at home.
For ages 2-4
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-children-aged-2-to-4-to-learn-at-home-during-coronavirus-covid-19
For Primary aged children
For children with SEND
Support Area
We understand this is a very difficult and anxious time for us all. We are doing our best to support families from afar and we have gathered together some resources to hopefully support you all further at home.
To start us off, here are some top tips that will help you if you are feeling worried or anxious during this time:
1. Maintain a routine everyday to stay focused. We are creatures of habit and routine gives us some sense of security – much needed in times of uncertainty.
2. Talk about your worries. This might be through a worry book / worry time – set aside this time for children at the end of each day so they are able to voice their concerns and parents can give support and encourage them to “express and let go” of the worry.
3. Mindfulness games / apps / techniques (Calm and Headspace are a few out there). Meditation is good too.
4. Exercise together as a family or individually to release endorphins which enhance our mood.
5. Stay busy – chores etc
6. Do activities that are enjoyable – read, take up a new hobby e.g learn a new language, skill etc
7. Connect with others online as this gives us a sense of social well-being and reduces the feeling of isolation.
8. Get enough sleep – there are sleep apps out there plus YouTube. Michael Sealey on YouTube does sleep hypnosis amongst other things like mindfulness etc on there and is free.
9. Remind yourself it is temporary and things will resume back to normal eventually and do not beat yourself up if youhave a bad day – we all have those!
Are you feeling anxious or worried?
Here are some websites that focus on supporting your wellbeing whilst at home:
- https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/#collapse842d2
- https://mentalhealth-uk.org/
- https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/?WT.tsrc=Search&WT.mc_id=Brand&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiaLGsOyI6QIVhbTtCh1xew3BEAAYASAAEgI9r_D_BwE
- http://www.safehandsthinkingminds.co.uk/covid-anxiety-stress-resources-links/
- https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-mental-wellbeing
- https://www.actionforhappiness.org/news/how-to-keep-mentally-healthy-during-uncertain-times
- A course that explains simple self-soothe strategies – Creative Education – https://elearning.creativeeducation.co.uk/courses/simple-self-soothe-strategies/
- A course that explored simple strategies to help you stay mentally well during these unprecedented times. https://elearning.creativeeducation.co.uk/courses/covid19-staying-mentally-well/
Is your child feeling anxious or worried?
- Enter the Calm zone where there are lots of breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of stress – Childline https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/
- An illustration to support the understanding of anxiety – https://www.priorygroup.com/media/594863/understanding-childhood-anxiety-v1.jpg
- A video to support how to cope when you can’t go to school because of the coronavirus – https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51656718
- Videos, activities and tips to care for yourself and others during this time – https://www.sesamestreet.org/caring
- 10 tips to cope during lockdown – https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/worries-about-the-world/coronavirus/
- Covibook – an interactive resource to support and reassure children – https://www.mindheart.co/descargables
- We have attached part 2 of the Supergeores story which may help your child if they are afraid to go outside because of the virus.The Stay at Home Superheroes Go Outside
Strategies that can be done at home to ease anxiety or promote wellbeing
- Self-care strategies – https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/
- Meditations for children – https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids
- Cosmic kids Yoga and mindfulness (preschool) – https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
- The Yoga Family provides yoga for young people and adults – https://www.theyogafamily.com/online-classes
- Go noodle provides movement and mindfulness activities for all ages – https://app.gonoodle.com/
- Mindfulness Music and Poetry Moments – https://www.thewell.world/mindful-music/mindful-poetry-moments
Activities for you and the family to promote health and wellbeing
Having time and space for play, fun and creativity is a great way to boost mental health and wellbeing. So, here are some website links that include lots of activities to promote play and creativity.
- Create a Keep Calm Kit – https://search3.openobjects.com/mediamanager/trafford/fsd/files/iq_keepcalmkit.pdf
- Ideas and activities to inspire young minds at home – https://www.scouts.org.uk/the-great-indoors
- https://theimaginationtree.com/
- https://artfulparent.com/
- Virtual trips and theme park visits. Even if you can’t get out you can visit another country, ride the biggest rollercoasters and have some time out without even standing up! – https://www.familyfelicity.com/free-virtual-tours-kids/
- A free app for 3D design, electronics and coding – https://www.tinkercad.com/
- Manchester Museum in quarantine virtual tours – https://www.mminquarantine.com/
Understanding the importance of Play
Children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
This is a difficult time for all children and for those with SEND it can be even more challenging and they may be finding the adjustment to a new routine as well as accessing the work set more difficult than others. If your child is struggling with their learning then please let us know. If your query is related to your child’s additional needs then please email our SENDco directly on r.parish@smat.org.uk. Below we have gathered together additional advice and resources for those parents supporting children with SEND.
- Advice for families from the National Autistic Society – https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus/resources/helpful-resources.aspx
- Council for Disabled Children – https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/
- British Dyslexia Association – https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/
- Afasic (speech and language needs) – https://www.afasic.org.uk/
- ADHD foundation – https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/
- Young Minds – https://youngminds.org.uk/
- MIND – https://www.mind.org.uk/
- The Dyspraxia Foundation – https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/
- Royal National Institute for the Blind – https://www.rnib.org.uk/
- National Deaf Children’s Society – https://www.ndcs.org.uk/
- The Sensory Projects, has collated a range of resources aimed as supporting children and young people with a range of special educational needs and disabilities – http://www.thesensoryprojects.co.uk/covid19-resources