Family Support
Working to Support our Children and Families
As a school, we are proud to be able to offer a wide range of support to our families. We operate an open-door policy, making staff available to meet with parents before and after school each day to discuss any concerns or issues that they may have. During the current Covid arrangements where staff are less able to speak to parents, there are communication channels through email and the school office.
Where there are more complex concerns, the school has four Designated Senior People, all of whom have had specialist training to work with families to ensure that the best outcomes are reached for every child. Mr Maher is the lead for this and is supported by Mrs Jessop. All staff receive regular training and updates to support them in this role also.
Where children are identified as needing extra help in a certain area, the school will work to ensure that they get this help in a timely manner. This may be through extra work with a specific adult, through in-class support, or from external professionals such as counsellors.
Mrs Jessop also works with families to provide support and advice and will also work with the school’s Family Worker where needed.
Hertfordshire are also able to offer support through the Families First Portal, which is a directory of support services available within the county. Again, please follow the link below for more information.
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/families-first/families-first.aspx
Family Lives
Public Health School Nurse Support
Support and courses for parents from DSPL 8
Herts Fire and Rescue Service Newsletter - Schools Stay Safe Winter 2022
Hertfordshire Local Offer
With children and young people out of education settings at the moment, families may be needing a bit of extra help to keep their child’s education progressing, or just to keep them entertained. The Local Offer, Hertfordshire’s website for families of young people aged 0 -25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), has a resources area where parents and families can find materials and resources they can use to help their child learn key skills. The resources area specifically looks to support those families whose child has an additional need, but it can be used by any family, and may have certain educational activities that can help any pupil to develop a skill they may be struggling with.
The resources area includes:
• Activity sheets and ideas provided by the Specific Learning Difficulties team, which can help progress in key areas including writing, memory, numbers and spelling
• Practical help for children who are struggling with their mental health, either as a result of COVID19 or more generally
•Help with explaining COVID-19 to younger children and young people with autism, including social stories and easy read documents
• Materials which help young people to develop their independence, including cooking activities
• Lots of fun ideas for your children to do independently or as a family at home to encourage them to explore and use their imagination
Click here to visit the Hertfordshire Local Offer website
Educational Psychology Service
Due to the current circumstances regarding the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the 'quick queries' service has been expanded across Hertfordshire. The contact line will be available for all parent/ caregivers, young people (aged 16-25), school staff and professionals Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 2:00pm and Wednesday 2:00pm to 4:30pm. Please call 01992 588574.
Support for parents - healthy eating
Online advice on how to keep your child safe
Please find below links to organisations who provide some really useful guidance on how to support your child on line. This may be using a tablet, gaming or a phone.