Dear Parent/Carer,

I hope you and your family are healthy and coping during this challenging time.

If you do not speak English, I am going to have this letter translated into as many languages as possible (please see links below). These can be found on the homepage of the Academy website in the ‘Latest News’ section.

As you know your son/daughter speaks English, but this is in addition to their home language (this is known as EAL). As a result, we know that it might be even more challenging for them to be able to complete the home learning set on ClassCharts by their teachers.

In response to this, firstly I want to say thank you to you. To be able to complete the work we know you need lots of things that you might not have: access to a computer and the Internet, the knowledge to help, pens, papers and time. We know that lots of you will be trying to work yourself, supporting friends and family, and that you may have more than one child to support. Creating an environment for home learning is a massive ask and we know that you are doing your very best so please try not to worry.

It is however, really important that your child continues to engage with some work, so to support you we are going to do two things:

1. I have included a resources pack with this email. This contains alternative and EAL specific activities that you may want to give/do with your child. Many of them are more practical and may be more engaging for your child. Please note that not all activities will be relevant for your child, but hopefully there will be some that are of use. I did the How to Grow a Rainbow activity on page 15 with my children, and they absolutely loved it.
2. A member of staff from the Access and Inclusion Team is going to give you a call to see if you are okay and if there is anything else we can do to help. This will be a short supportive phone call. In some cases where English is a barrier or children really want to speak to the staff – the staff can speak to the children. The number will be withheld when we call, so please do try to answer if you can. The call will take place before the end of the day on Friday 1^st May.

In the meantime, if you have any urgent queries please email the Academy at enquiries@alecreedacademy.co.uk  

We are missing you all and cannot wait until it is safe to go back to the Academy.

Stay safe and keep well.

Kirsten Windsor (Assistant Principal: Inclusion)