As we would normally have rolled our curriculum forward in June, we have provided pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 the opportunity to ‘click and collect’ personalised learning bundles. These reflect their subject choices for Year 9 and include additional resources from their class teachers.

We were aware from pupils and parents that stationery supplies were running low and, therefore, in response to the demand, we sought to ensure everyone was still equipped for learning by replenishing their stationery supplies. Our Heads of Faculty and teachers also identified a need, especially for our pupils in Year 9, who as a gesture towards our new timetable, have started their new GCSE courses this term.

Our pupils’ learning bundles include new exercise books, A3 paper for Art and Design, graph paper for Maths and Science and resources specific to the schemes of learning across our curriculum that our pupils are following. For example, our English and Humanities Faculties have provided reading material and work booklets and our Science team included revision guides.

Cath Brace, Assistant Head, masterminded this operation and, with the aid of colleagues, managed the logistics and despatch expertly. Over 180 pupils in Year 9 collected new exercise books and a further 150 in Year 7 and 8 did so too. For those who were unable to pick up materials this week, we are planning to provide another opportunity for Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 pupils and parents to 'click and collect’ these essential learning bundles over the next two weeks, before the end of June 2020. For more information, contact Miss Brace.

Next week, week commencing Monday 15 June 2020, pupils in Year 10 will have the opportunity to collect their learning bundles when they come in for their face to face review meetings. Owing to the different subjects pupils follow, these have taken longer to assemble, but each bundle will be personalised and will include everything they need to enable them to engage in our remote curriculum, respond to assignments in Show My Homework and MS Teams and attend lessons in school, as arranged, from Monday 22 June. Furthermore, they will also be able to collect their latest school reports!

I am incredibly grateful to the staff here at Deer Park who have remained positive and have consistently shown a determination to maintain the rhythm and momentum of learning throughout this period of lockdown. They share a readiness to innovate and find practical solutions. True to our aims this has enabled us all to achieve more than we first thought would be possible!

Chiquita Henson, Headteacher