Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Useful Fun Websites for the Family

  Tue 12 May 2020

  Here are some websites that "help you go out even when you have to stay in."

   

  1. ​BBC Sound Effects. At bbcsfx.acropolis.org.uk there are 16,000 sounds that you can use to create your own 'soundscape.'
  2. If you are interested in art or challenges go to explorationoftheday.com ​where artist / author Keri Smith sets a daily art challenge (you can browse all those already set as well).
  3. Want to travel but can't? Go to mapcrunch.com and it uses Google street view to transport you to a random location anywhere in the world each time you click go!
  4. And if this Planet is not enough for you try accessmars.withgoogle.com you can literally explore the surface of Mars by steering Curiosity rover around.
  5. Or go to nasa.gov where the US Space Agency has just made all its media library available to view.
  6. Or finally  if you fancy seeing an infinitely zooming image go to zoomquilt.org

• Update Letter from Mr Milton

  Mon 11 May 2020

  11th May 2020,

   

  Dear Parents / Carers

   

  I do hope that this letter finds you, your friends and family in good health.

   

  Following last night’s announcement by the government and today’s publication of Our Plan to Rebuild, I wanted to state that nothing has changed for us so far. It appears as if, subject to certain conditions being met, Schools may be asked by the Government to ‘re-open in stages’, from 1st June, beginning with Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils; the Government’s ambition is also to give secondary pupils completing exams next year “at least some time with their teachers” before the summer holidays. As soon as we have further clarification and advice from the local authority concerning school opening dates we will let you know.

   

  As a school we have remained open on a limited basis to our most vulnerable children and children of keyworkers. I want to reassure you, that we are doing everything within our power to maintain children’s safety whilst in school. This is our primary concern. Our staffing rota is reviewed daily, to meet the needs of the children.

   

  We will continue to:

  •          Work with the Local Authority, Social Services and parents to support appropriate individuals and cohorts of pupils who are safer attending school / remaining at home

  •          Assess staff availability, staff requirements and staff support / wellbeing needs

  •          Assess the capacity of our building(s) and make appropriate adjustments

   

  As a special school we will use government and local authority advice to guide our return to the new normal, which will be a phased, controlled, growth. We appreciate that you know your children and your situation the best. We will discuss individually with you the return to school of your child. This cannot happen until health advice is clear that we can do this safely. However, there is no doubt, that whatever measures are put in place, we cannot eliminate the risk that illnesses spread in a school due to the fact that we are all in close contact with each other. Pupil and staff safety will therefore steer our decision making.

   

  We want the staff and all the children back, but this is unrealistic for now.  We are constantly reviewing our practice to see if we can make things safer, but as soon as we increase the numbers of pupils coming into school, the risk will increase.

   

  We are simply not going to rush into making decisions which we may later regret. 

   

  As this period of isolation continues we understand that the level of support required may increase and the needs of children, change. As I have said in my previous letters if you have concerns regarding your child, please let us know. Your first point of contact is your child’s class teacher or tutor, but please also email secretary@laleham-gap.kent.sch.uk if you need further support from me.

   

  If you have any concerns regarding the frequency, suitability or degree of difficulty of the work being provided, please contact me via secretary@laleham-gap.kent.sch.uk for further support.

   

  Please continue to access the school’s website: www.laleham-gap.kent.sch.uk for updates and learning from home activities.

   

  Kind Regards

   

  Les Milton

  Headteacher

• Parental Support

  Wed 06 May 2020
  

• Secondary School Council Virtual Meeting on Monday 4 May 2020 at 10am

  Fri 01 May 2020

  Please can all Secondary Councillors check their school email for the School Council virtual meeting on Monday 4 May 2020 at 10am and click the link from Mrs Schroepfer to attend.

   

  The agenda can be found on the School Council page under the minutes section.

• Current EHCP Process information from Mr Parkin

  Tue 28 Apr 2020
  In light of the current pandemic we have made the decision to prioritise remaining EHCP Annual Reviews and will therefore be suspending outstanding in-year reviews for the time being. Where possible staff will continue to update plans and we hope to share these with you when school returns to normal. Should there be any concerns regarding this please do not hesitate to contact Heather Belsey in the first instance who will communicate with me.

• Kent & Medway CCG - Trusted source of information & resources on Coronavirus

  Mon 27 Apr 2020
  Click here to go to the Kent & Medway CCG website which is updated regularly and has very good information and resources on coronavirus for both adults and children.

• Coronavirus - A book for Children

  Thu 23 Apr 2020

  If your child is struggling to understand the coronavirus and what it is click here to find a website by Axel Scheffler, the co-author of The Gruffalo, who explains the virus very well for children. 

   

  I have also put a pdf of the book in the Secondary folder called Wellbeing and the Primary English folder which can both be found on the Learning from Home page.

• Article on Lego Play

  Wed 22 Apr 2020
  To read an article on lego therapy from a lego professor please click here.

• Learning from Home Page

  Tue 21 Apr 2020

  The Learning from Home page has been updated with new folders and further tasks  and activities for the pupils to complete.

   

  Please take a look and enjoy the activities.

• New Year 7 Pupils Transition Welcoming Meeting have been postponed

  Mon 20 Apr 2020

  Due to the current situation we have had to postpone the new Year 7 Pupils Transition Welcoming Meeting which was scheduled for next Monday and the transition days the same week and the week after.

   

  Please keep hold of your admission forms for now.

   

  Parents/Carers will be contacted by the school with further information. 

   

  Thank you for your understanding and support during this time.