Off-site Learning

 

          Dear Parents / Carers

 

As you will be aware, the Prime Minister made a number of announcements yesterday as part of the Government’s ongoing strategy to combat the COVID-19 outbreak:

-         all schools in England have been instructed to close to most students with effect from the end of the day on Friday 20/03/2020 until further notice.

-         Schools have been asked to remain open for the children of ‘essential workers’, students with designated social workers and those with an Education and Health Care Plan.

-         Examinations for GCSE, A Levels and equivalent qualifications (as well at Key Stage 2 SATs in primary schools) will not take place this summer

 

For students who are either the children of ‘essential workers’, or have a designated social worker or an Education and Health Care Plan, I can confirm that the school will be making daily provision for them as requested by the government. This will begin on Tuesday 23^rd March. As you would expect, as the announcement yesterday was the first time that schools were made aware of this plan, there is a significant amount of work going on today to make preparations for this new requirement. I will write to you again as soon as I have further details.

 

If you are an essential worker for the emergency services or a supermarket delivery driver etc, please can you contact the academy via schoolclosure@merrillacademy.derby.sch.uk  so we know how many students will need provision.  

 

The news that examinations had been cancelled has been a surprise for us all, although I suspect in the current circumstances that it was inevitable. Students in Year 11 are understandably concerned and anxious, having spent the last two years working so hard, and we are doing everything we can to support and reassure them. The Prime Minister made clear in his statement that the students affected would not be prevented from gaining the qualifications that they need. I anticipate a further announcement from the government tomorrow to explain in more detail what will happen to these students, and I will be I touch with parents of the students involved as soon as that information is released.

                    

From Tuesday 24 March we will be operating a takeaway meals service for our students who are entitled to a free school meal. Meals can be collected from the rear door to the dining room 12.00-12.30pm daily (access via the carpark). This service will operate until the Government Voucher Scheme comes in to place.

 

We are clearly dealing with an unprecedented challenge as a nation, and everyone will need to play their part over the next few weeks. There is no way of knowing how long schools will need to remain closed to most of their students. Please be assured that my staff and I remain fully committed to doing everything we can to continue your child’s education and prepare them for the point when things eventually return to normal.

 

In the meantime, the government’s guidance on self-isolation and social distancing remains in place, and may well be strengthened further as the outbreak develops. It is important that your child observes the general advice on social distancing and avoids any kind of large gathering.

 

 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

Student email login

Student remote access

Student remote access guide

 Listed below are some workbooks students can use while at home:

English

KS4 English Workbook paper

Short Stories Booklet

Year 7 - Short Stories Remote Learning Booklet

Year 8 - Creative Writing Remote Learning Booklet

Year 9 - 1984 Remote Learning Booklet

More English resources 

Maths

Year 7 Home Learning Pack

Year 8 Home Learning Pack

Year 9 Home Learning Pack

Year 10 Home Learning Pack

Year 11 Home Learning Pack Foundation

Year 11 Home Learning Pack Higher

Science

Science KS3 Workbook 1

Science KS3 Workbook 2

Science KS3 Workbook 3

Science KS3 Workbook 1 answers

Science KS3 workbook 2 answers

Science KS3 workbook 3 answers

Chem Paper 1

Physics Paper 1

Paper 1 Revision Booklet

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

Y10 Easter Booklet

Year 7 additional homework tasks

Yr8 additional homework for science

Vocational Studies

Please Click Here

Sport

Sports Studies Workbook KS4

IT

Designing an app Year 7 Workbook

Designing an app Year 8 Workbook

Designing an app Year 9 Workbook

Geography

Geography KS3 Workbook

KS3 RE Buddhism Workbook

KS4 Geography Coasts / Rivers

KS4 Geography Urban Wookbook

History

Year 8 History Booklet 

Year 9 History Booklet

KS4 History Booklet

Year 7 History Tudors

French

French KS4 Reading Workbook

French KS4 Writing Workbook

French Y9 Workbook

French Y7 C'est Perso - Booklet

French Y8 Workbook

French Y9 Practice Workbook

Design & Technology

Cereal Packet Booklet

Y9 Phone Stand Home Learning Project 2020

Year 10 - GCSE DT -  Technical Textiles and Smart Materials

Year 9 + 10 - Food technology - Booklet 1

Music

Booklet Page

Work Sheets

Philosophy

Philosophy KS4 revision pack

Sample KS4 Questions

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

Careers education at home

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

Aim Awards 

1. Types of Visitor Attractions

2. Matching people to visitor attractions

3. Choosing the best 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

www.hegartymaths.com
www.corbettmaths.com
www.drfrostmaths.com

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects

https://mathsmadeeasy.co.uk/

https://mathsapp.pixl.org.uk

https://www.classcharts.com/for homework

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

https://www.musictheory.net/

https://vip.charanga.com/ 

EAL 

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/

http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/

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.