Trust websites
12 May 2020
Dear parents and carers
We hope this letter finds everyone as well as can be expected at this time.
Further to the Prime Minister’s briefing, we realise that there may be anxiety around the Government’s proposed ‘Road Map’ to remove the measures around social distancing and in particular, what they may mean for year 10 students seeing teachers before the end of the summer term and the transition arrangements for year 6 students coming to Merrill Academy in September.
Staff at Merrill are working hard to make sure that your child has enough work to keep them up to date whilst they are being home schooled. Since the lockdown work has been available on the school website. This will continue until schools are back open. Teachers are also creating video lessons and other resources which are accessible via Microsoft Teams & Streams. To be able to access these your child must be able to access their school email.
If you do not know how students can access their email then the following will help you
1. Go onto the academy website
2. click on menu
3. click on off-site learning
4. just below the explanation about Ed Lounge there are 3 links - the top one is the student email - click on this
5. students need to enter their email address which is their username followed by @merrillacademy.derby.sch.uk
6. they then enter their password - the usual password for logging on
7. if they have forgotten their password then the parent/carer needs to phone school and request a reset - the technicians can then reset the password.
Students can also use their school email to directly contact their teachers about any work that has been set. Emails, Teams & Streams can all be downloaded as an app so students can access their school work on a phone or tablet as well as a PC/laptop.
If you have a problem with any of the above or would like paper copies of any of the work please get in touch with the Academy.
As the government’s proposals emerge and become clearer, we will make sure we keep you updated. The safety of our students and staff remains the top priority for us at all times and any decision made will be based on this.
In the meantime, our academy remains open for the children of key workers and children deemed vulnerable only. The voucher scheme will continue to provide support to our free school meal families with advice being available through the school office.
We look forward to seeing you back, but only when the time is right and safe
Best wishes
Ms J Harlow
Headteacher
Mr P Brown
Assistant Head
Arrangements for students to work at home in the event of an extended school closure
Your child has been set home learning to complete. Please go to the school website with your child, to access further details. Your support with this is much appreciated.
This includes Ed Lounge. https://merrill-academy.edlounge.com/
There is an expectation that at least 3- 4 hours of activities are completed every school day with the Ed Lounge tasks being monitored closely by teaching staff.
Students can access their Ed Loungeactivities through the homework button.
Ed Lounge log on information is as follows:
School ID: merrill-academy
Username: YourName
- No space
- Capital letter at the start of your forename and surname e.g JoeBloggs
Password: Date of birth as 8 digits e.g. 01032005
Your child also needs to regularly check their school email address as their teachers will be in contact with them. A shortcut for this can be found on our website. Other activities will also be set which will involve the Classcharts App and the work booklets they bring home.
In our community we all need to look after each other to keep safe and well. Please take care.
Remote Access
Useful Links
Listed below are some workbooks students can use while at home:
Year 11 Transition work to Post 16 Study
A1. Project Future Planning the next steps 1
A2. Project Future Planning the next steps 2
A3. Project Futures Personal LORIC
B3. Project Future Preparing for the world of work
If you have decided to continue your studies at college or sixth form, and know which course you want to do, you will find it useful to start to do pre- study tasks in for those subjects. Pick the grid that is closest to the subject(s) you want to do and then try some of the tasks. Again log what you do on the Progression Log in the previous section.
PiXL Progression - Creative and Performing Arts (Year 11-12)
PiXL Progression - English, Media and MFL (Year 11-12)
PiXL Progression - IT, Computer Science and Business (Year 11-12)
PiXL Progression - Science, Maths and Engineering (Year 11-12)
PiXL Progression - Social Sciences and humanities (Year 11-12)
PiXL Progression - Sports (Year 11-12)
English
Year 7 - Short Stories Remote Learning Booklet
Year 8 - Creative Writing Remote Learning Booklet
Year 9 - 1984 Remote Learning Booklet
Yr7 - W+C comprehension answers
Maths
Year 11 Home Learning Pack Foundation
Year 11 Home Learning Pack Higher
Science
Science KS3 Workbook 1 answers
Science KS3 workbook 2 answers
Science KS3 workbook 3 answers
School closure unit ks3 worksheets
Introduction to science homework tasks
Introduction to science yr 7 work booklet
Yr 7 Independent Science tasks 2020
Yr 8 Independent Science tasks 2020
Year 7 additional homework tasks
Yr8 additional homework for science
KS3 revision workbook and guide
All in 1 Topic B1 booklet - Year 9 revision on cell biology and cell transport
Vocational Studies
IT
Designing an app Year 7 Workbook
Designing an app Year 8 Workbook
Designing an app Year 9 Workbook
Code Club - This is a great site to learn programming skills. You can develop your skills using Scratch, Raspberry PI, Python, Sonic Pi and more. Its great fun.
Khan Academy - This is a great site for learning about computing and programming. Have a go at the Drawing and Animation tasks. Its fun and really helps you learn how to code.
Scratch - This is a great site where you can learn more about using Scratch, improve your skills, develop understanding and create some interactive games.
Year 7 IT
Who Shot Mr Burns - Messages File
Year 8 IT
Who Shot Mr Burns - Messages File
Year 9 IT
Who Shot Mr Burns - Messages File
Geography
History
Year 8 First World War Booklet questionnaire
Year 9 Medicine through Time Booklet Quiz
French
French Y7 C'est Perso - Booklet
Year 7 Cover Booklet Answers Part 2
French Year 7 C'est Perso Answers
Design & Technology
Y9 Phone Stand Home Learning Project 2020
Year 10 - GCSE DT - Technical Textiles and Smart Materials
Year 9 + 10 - Food technology - Booklet 1
Music
Philosophy
Art
Please find useful links for home learning:
Personal Development
www.skillsbuilder.org/homelearning
DANCOP Home Learning Resources
Pixl Build Up programme to support students personal development
Wellbeing booklet for AFC students. March 2020
DANCOP Independent Me - Stage 1
DANCOP Independent Me - Stage 2
A3 Activites you can do from home - KS4
A3 Activites you can do from home - KS3
Advanced Picture News Resource - 30th March
DANCOP Independent Me - Stage 1 and cover letter
DANCOP Independent Me - Stage 2
DANCOP Independent Me - Stage 3
Red Cross - Kindness calendar and activities
Decisionz Magazine for schools
Advanced Picture News Resource - 20th April
Aim Awards
1. Types of Visitor Attractions
2. Matching people to visitor attractions
3. Choosing the best attraction
Aim Awards Career Planning L1 Workbook
4. Planning a day at the attraction
Maths
Big Maths login for you to access Big Maths learning from home.
Go to: www.bigmaths.co.uk
School pin: 0729
Username: firstname.lastname
Password: Bigmaths1
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects
https://www.mathsgenie.co.uk/gcse.html
English
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
www.readtheory.co.uk
Science
https://www.educake.co.uk/
https://www.senecalearning.com/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/z8r997h
https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/videos
History
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
www.senecalearning.com for
Y9/10.
www.kahoot.com
www.bbc.co.uk
www.schoolhistory.co.uk
Design
and Technology
http://www.technologystudent.com/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zby2bdm
https://mborthwick8.wixsite.com/kevi-product-site
Drama
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
Geography
KS3
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zrw76sg) https://kahoot.com/
https://quizizz.com/
https://www.senecalearning.com/
KS4
https://www.senecalearning.com/ Search
for Edexcel B Geography
https://timeforgeography.co.uk/
https://geographycat.co.uk/students
https://kahoot.com/
Modern
Foreign Languages
French
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zr8bmfr
Music
EAL
http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/
MantraLingua is now available for free and students are able to read dual language books there and practise their understanding.
Safeguarding
Online safety support for families
Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people's mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak can be accessed via the Government document below. This document also offers support regarding financial concerns for any parent or carer.
Keeping the family entertained with In Derby
Keeping children of all ages busy is one of the challenges facing families during the COVID-19 pandemic, so the team at In Derby are looking closer to home during the restrictions brought in to keep everyone safe. While all local venues remain closed, the In Derby website is focusing on things to keep families entertained at home.
Content includes:
https://news.derby.gov.uk/keeping-the-family-entertained-with-in-derby/
Crimestoppers (A blog repost) Take Five to Stop Fraud
Just like this virus, criminals are targeting the vulnerable.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 there has been an increase in cybercrime and fraud. Take Five is a national campaign that offers advice to help everyone protect themselves from preventable financial fraud
Wishing you all a safe and happy half term. https://t.co/JZCuPjoXNu
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