Coronavirus Resources for Schools
We hope that you find the following resources helpful as we all adjust to new ways of working. We will continue to post new resources on this page so please check back regularly.
Urgent enquiries: 01392 294 950 (to be diverted to a member of the team)
General enquiries: email
Twitter feed: @EdCofEDevon
Talking to Children about Coronavirus
The British Psychological Society’s Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP) has published tips for schools, parents and carers dealing with the unprecedented school closures.
Supporting Families
Devon and Torbay Mental Health Teams in School have pulled together a number of resources for schools to share with families.
- Covid-19 Window Walk of Solidarity.
- Covid-19 Primary School Parent Pack
- Covid-19 Teens and Parents Pack
If you still have a Devon Child in Care on roll, please see the letter and guidance circulated to your school for your information.
Schools may also find the following guide useful in supporting the mental health and well-being of pupils and students during periods of disruption:
MindEd is a free educational resource on children and young people’s mental health for all adults. Click here….
In addition, JKP Books have produced a number of free online resources:
Happy Families, Happy Futures programme is designed to improve communication and ease tension between parents or carers, supporting a happy environment for their children. Find out more….
Other resources include:
- Sesame Street – Caring
- Young Devon – We Are Still Here
- Young Devon Expanded Wellbeing Toolkit (Devon)
Biteback have produced a simple shopping list along with some ideas for a balanced meals. Providing families with ideas on how to spend the £15 free school meal voucher and make it go further. Find out more….
Educational Resources
- The Department for Education have produced an initial list of online educational resources to help children who are being home educated. There is support and resources for pupils of all ages. Find out more….
- Pearson are providing schools with free access to a range of teaching and learning resources. To access these resources you will need to complete the online request form:
- Children can become Nature Detectives, by following trails of mysterious smells, strange sounds and interesting textures. There are a number of websites providing booklets, downloadable activity sheets and colouring sheets.
- National Trust
- RSPB
- Devon Wildlife Trust
- Woodland Trust Nature Detectives
- Buglife
- Plantlife Family Activities
- Hello Trees
- Tree Activities for Children OPAL
- Butterfly Conversation
- Nature Watch
- 10 Hands-On Nature Activities for Kids
- Fun Nature Activities for Kids
- 15 Easy Indoor Nature Activities for Kids
- 20 Super Simple Nature Activities for Toddlers
- The National Library of Scotland have made the first edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica available to schools and families.
- Explore More Stories have been created by education professionals inspired by the wonder and curiosity of young people. This resource allows children of all ages to work and have fun together. Find out more….
- I See Maths are offering daily home maths lessons hosted by Gareth Metcalfe. Find out more….
- The National Theatre are offering 30 world-class production, plus a range of tailored resources to all UK state-funded schools for free.
- The Guardian have released a list detailing out 10 of the world’s best virtual museum and art gallery tours. You can access the list here.
- The Medical Education Team at Babcock Prime have compiled a range of resources that aim to help support the learning needs of children and young people. Find out more….
- Picture News are offering all schools access to their weekly and current news packs. The pack includes ideas doe home discussion, written tasks, information to read, a mini paper and visual aids for younger learners. Click here.
- RCPCH & US have created some fun activities to do whilst children and young people are at home. Click here.
- Looking for a creative way to channel your children or young people’s concern for others and the world around them while the schools are closed? Join in with Letters for Creation.
- Enter the 2020 Spirited Arts & Poetry Competition: Pupils and their teachers are invited to join in! Spirited Arts welcome entries from January of each year and closing date is 31st July. Click here to find out more.
School Admissions Appeals
- The government has introduced new regulations (the 2021 regulations) so the temporary arrangements now apply until 30 September 2021. Please contact your LA for advice on the revised timetable and arrangements for admission appeals. For more information please visit the Gov.uk website.
- Faith Based Criteria – Own Admission Authorities: As you are aware churches are currently closed and therefore this will create a difficultly in measuring church attendance for admission applications. The Diocese has been working nationally with colleagues and the OSA to find a solution which may be for each admission authority to seek a variation to their arrangements. It is proposed that this is co-ordinated through each Diocese. Please can you contact us if you want to discuss further or to seek a variation which will be worded to exclude church attendance at this time. Contact Christina Mabin if you have any queries.
Resources
- School Exclusion Risks after Covid-19: A report that looks at potential new and heightened risks for school exclusions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Find out more….
- Mental Health and Wellbeing: A list of useful mental health and wellbeing resources. In particular we would like to draw your attention to Barry Carpenter and Matthew Carpenter’s Recovery Curriculum which sums up many of the key considerations you will need to provide in September.
Information for Governing Bodies
- Please continue to direct enquiries to Christina Mabin. The National Governance Association (NGA) is producing regular advice and guidance for school governing bodies. Please visit the NGA website to find out more.
- The DfE have now published a Covid-19 Governance Update providing the latest departmental and government advice on the spread of this virus, and how this relates to the role of those on governing and trust boards and clerks / governance professionals. Please visit the gov.uk website to find out more.
Training Opportunities and Resources for Teaching Staff
- The South West Teaching School Alliance CPD Portal lists a good selection of free CPD available to for staff
- Laura Tsabet has created a list of free CPD opportunities.
- Church of England Foundation for Education Leadership are offering open network sessions this term for school leaders. All virtual network sessions will run from 10-11am. Find out more….
- Fiveways Devon have produced a Reflective Tool for School Leaders Leaving Lockdown, to support schools in this unique time in education.
- The EEF’s rapid evidence review examines the potential impact of schools closures on the attainment gap, based on a systematic search of existing literature. Click here. The report notes that parental engagement in children’s learning and the quality of the home learning environment are associated with improved academic outcomes at all ages. The effectiveness of strategies will differ by age group. For example, in primary schooling, shared book reading and linked activities such as building vocabulary and practising spellings are valuable, while in secondary schools parents can support children to read independently and create study routines. EEF resources for schools on supporting parents during school closures are available here.
