Message from the Head
Farringtons School

Message from the Head




Message from the Head
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A Message from the Head


Dear Parents & Guardians 

The last week of term has absolutely flown by and has been full of virtual celebrations. My gratitude must go to the pupils and every member of staff involved in pulling together all these special events. Teaching has continued on site and online, with teachers becoming extremely adept at managing the complexities of directing children from near and far, at the same time. 

You will I am sure, have read the headlines from the Government, about schools opening in September - be assured  that planning has already started and will continue throughout the summer break.

The school will be open with a skeleton staff next week however, the whole school will be closed for a week, from July 13th.

This year's results days fall on August 13th for Year 13 and August 20th for Year 11 and I look forward to seeing some of you on those occasions. 

Please accept my gratitude for your personal support and kindness since January 2015 and every good wish to you and your families for the future. It has been a privilege and joy, to have been Head of Farringtons and to watch your wonderful children, 'Develop and Shine.' 

With kind regards

Dorothy Nancekievill
Head


26 June 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians

The penultimate week of this school year has flown past and children from Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 joined Reception, Year 1 & 6 pupils, in the Junior School, on Tuesday. The excitement was tangible and the children have had a very successful week - it was a delight to see them both in class and enjoying running about in our beautiful grounds. My thanks to every pupil for their exemplary behaviour, to teachers for managing on site and online lessons, (sometimes simultaneously) and to parents for their support and positivity.

Students in Years 10 & 12 continued to attend specific lessons in school, feedback has been that they have welcomed the opportunity to return to school for face-to-face teaching and appreciate that this will stand them in good stead for return in September.

Farringtons, ‘Home and Away’ continues to showcase examples of learning across the ages and my thanks to Mrs Vail for all her efforts in compiling such an uplifting newsletter. Please click on THIS LINK.

A progress summary is currently being compiled for Senior School pupils as end of year exams have not taken place. A new style format has been devised to summarise student progress and attitude to learning during the online learning period of the last 3 months. The students will receive two grades in each of their subjects. Please see attached letter from Mr Garwood for further explanation.

It has been with a real tinge of sadness and regret, that we will not be able to physically share the end of term events with you this year however, we will be sharing virtual events. Please note the timings below, in order to be able to plan in your diaries next week.

Virtual End of Term Calendar

Wednesday 1 July

  • Virtual Junior School Prize Giving, to be posted at 4pm

Thursday 2 July

  • Year 13 Virtual Leavers’ Service, to be posted at 8.30 am (Year 13 only)
  • Virtual Senior School Prize Giving Service to be posted at 4 pm

Friday 3 July

  • Mrs Nancekievill’s Virtual Farewell Chapel Service, to be posted at 8.30 am

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Smith, Mrs Suverkrop, Mrs Vail and Mrs White for their advice and amazing technical skills in pulling all these events together.

Technically, the school year ends next Thursday for everyone however, in a slight change to the normal end of term arrangements, the Junior School will continue learning through to the end of the day on Thursday.  In the Senior School lessons will continue until Friday afternoon.

Yrs 7 and 8 will not be following their existing timetable on Friday, instead, Mr Essex has devised a ‘Slo-Mo’ Challenge. This will take the form of an Inter Form event in which students have the opportunity to show off their greatest talents, but record in ‘Slow Mo’. Collaborating as a Form group (with the help of their tutor) they will put the videos together with some backing music to showcase each Forms’ talents.  Please see a separate Schoolpost. 

It has been good to have the opportunity to talk with a number of parents at the school gate this week – thank you for your kind and appreciative comments.

Have a lovely weekend and keep safe.

With kind regards,

Dorothy Nancekievill


19 June 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians,

It has been good to see members of Year 10 & 12 and their teachers, back in to school this week and we will also be welcoming back pupils from all Junior School Years from next Tuesday. Due to significant parents requesting both on and off site lessons, we will also continue our online provision. Once again the planning behind these developments has been immense and my thanks must go to all the staff involved but in particular, Mr Young, Mr Charlton, Mrs Cryan and the Bursar, Mrs Eldridge and her team.

We presented our first Virtual Open Morning for prospective parents last Saturday and although there was a live element on the day, you can still see the videos we prepared on the school website and in the link in this week's Farringtons, Home and Away - see below.  Please view to be reminded about our beautiful campus. Mrs Vail spearheaded the Open Morning whilst producing yet another great edition of, 'Farringtons, Home and Away', which I commend to you, alongside all the previous editions which you can still access online.

Our full board of Governors met yesterday, for the final planned meeting of the year and I was able to thank them for the tremendous commitment they make to the school. Although the Governors have scheduled termly meetings, they have been available for advice throughout the lock down and this will continue during the summer months as we prepare for next September.

This week, samples of our new style Sports Kit and items sporting our new style crest have arrived from our uniform supplier, Schoolblazer and we are very pleased.  Please visit their WEBSITE for the full range.  We appreciate that there may be some items of uniform in your child/children’s wardrobe that remains a good fit and may do so for the next couple of years. Therefore, we do not expect you to buy the new Sports Kit or other newly branded uniform, e.g. the blazer and jumpers/cardigans for return to school in September, unless you need to do so. However, by September 2022, we envisage that all students will be wearing uniform, with our new crest. Please find attached further information and also information from Liz Johnston and her team from our onsite Uniform Shop. 

We are currently planning our Junior and Senior School Virtual Prize Giving Ceremonies to be shared during the last week of term however, more information about that next week.

With kind regards,

Keep safe and well,

Dorothy Nancekievill

Head


12 June 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians,

We are looking forward to welcoming members of Years 10 & 12 back to school from Monday and a tremendous amount of work, with regard to timetables, infection control, cleaning and keeping numbers to the stipulated level, has been going on over the past two weeks. My gratitude to Mr Young, Mr Garwood, Mrs Eldridge, Mrs White and Mr Noon in particular, for leading the work that has made the senior school as safe as possible for the return of pupils and teachers. It is strange to see the pews in the Chapel taped up in order to socially isolate us all during the daily safety briefings.  I am sure that has never happened before!

Once again your amazing children have produced some marvellous work throughout all age groups this week and I am sure you will enjoy looking at the photos and videos submitted for Farringtons Home and Away. 

The FPA have been in contact with me and have understandably decided to postpone their annual AGM, normally held at the end of June, to September. Please look out for the new date in the school bulletin.

Tomorrow at 10.00am we are presenting our debut Virtual Open Morning. Following my introduction to the VOM from the Chapel, a virtual tour around the school and a message from our new Headmaster, Mr Jackson, visitors can interact live in four breakout rooms. Leaders from the Senior & Junior Schools, Boarding and the Registrar, will be in the breakout rooms to answer the questions from prospective parents, normally responded to over refreshments in the school library at the end of their tours around the school. Please wish us well in this endeavour.

Farringtons has had a global perspective since its inception in 1911 and racism, in all its forms, is abhorred. This is also the view of the Methodist Church and I have included a message from the President of the Methodist Conference below, which I fully endorse.

Keep safe and well,

With kind regards,

Dorothy Nancekievill


5 June 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians

It has been a joy to have the Reception, Year 1 & 6 returners in school this week and both children and staff, have been outstanding. The new protocols have worked well and my thanks to the parents who have embraced new start and finish times.

This week's virtual newsletter is now called, 'Farringtons Home and Away' and as with previous editions (which can still be accessed on our website) is a marvellous read. I am particularly impressed with those pupils who have worked with their teachers, to create the music and very stylish photographs, for the Farringtons version of, 'He's got the whole world in His hands'. It is a fantastic piece of work and great fun to sing along with - you will find it on the front page.  Please view THE LINK.

Preparatory work is currently going on to enable some members of Year 10 & 12 to return, in an ad hoc way, to school from June 15th. The Government guidance is that no more than 25% of the usual numbers of Year 10 & 12 students can be on site at any one time and this, added to the complexities of senior timetables and social isolation requirements, is quite a conundrum. As with the Junior School, I have asked parents to let me know their preference regarding whether to return, or not, and these views will be taken into consideration within our decision making.

Keep safe and well.

With best wishes,

Dorothy Nancekievill 

Head


29 May 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians, 

I hope that you have been able to enjoy some of the lovely weather over half term with your families and that you were able to relax together. 

During half term there has a been a great deal of activity going on in preparation for the return of pupils from Reception, Year 1 & 6, in order to keep everyone as safe as possible. It included Infection control fogging, certified medical deep cleaning, erection of new signage and the delivery of PPE items. Due to the small numbers returning, online teaching will continue for these year groups however, that is only possible in the short term, as it will not be sustainable when more children return. 

There will be staff training on Monday for those involved in delivering and supporting our returners and those of us always in the building, are really looking forward to having more children in school. 

Attached to this message is the information shared with parents of the relevant year groups, which covers a myriad of changes to normal procedures including different start times, entrance procedures, groupings, social distancing rules, lunches and toilets. Children are not required to wear uniform, as that will enable them to wear clean clothes every day and they will need to observe all the appropriate hygiene requirements. Additionally, all compliance matters have been considered, including testing for fire hydrants and legionella. There is an extensive Risk Assessment in place, a digest of which will be shared with parents next week however, it will be reviewed and updated on a weekly basis should the numbers on site change. Parents are not allowed to drop off in the school grounds therefore, I would ask everyone to be respectful towards the neighbours in Shepherds Green. You will find a video below about entrance procedures and I would request that parents of Reception, Year 1 & 6 returners, should let them see it. 

A number of staff have been unfurloughed, to ensure that we have sufficient staff to support each separate, ‘bubble’ and protocols have been developed with the school nurse, should a child or adult display any COVID-19 symptoms during the day – no one of course, should enter the school building if they have shown any symptoms at home. Equally if anyone is contacted regarding, ‘Track and Tracing’ the school should be informed immediately.  

Should your child be extremely anxious about returning to school, our School Counsellor is available - please contact Mr Simon Smith to organise an appointment, if you feel they need her support. 

I will update you with regard to the way forward for Years 10 & 12 by June, 8th. The current guidance suggests that no more that 25%, of either year group, can be in school at any one time. We will be scoping the implications of that advice carefully, as it would be extremely difficult to maintain the current online provision alongside on-site lessons. Parents’ views will be sought at the end of next week regarding their preferences and we will concurrently, interrogate the timetable and practical implications. 

Year 9 will be starting their GCSE courses on Monday which will set them up extremely well for Year 10 in September. 

My ‘Thought for the Day’ for the students on Monday will refer to visiting the Golden Gate Bridge and not being able to see it because of fog, but knowing that it was there. Be assured we are all part of the Farringtons community whether we are in the building or not, academic learning is continuing apace, your children are taking more responsibility for their actions and that when this current, ‘fog’ lifts, we will all have learnt valuable lessons. 

Keep safe and well, 

With kind regards, 

Dorothy Nancekievill 


22 May 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians,

It was my pleasure to speak to senior students this morning about the acronym PPE. We have become acutely aware of the importance of Personal Protective Equipment for all our key workers and PPE is also well known by university students as Philosophy, Politics and Economics, however, my version of PPE today was about Practice, Perseverance and Example. 

Whilst reflecting on how well the pupils have done this term, my thanks must also go to you for; enabling your sons and daughters to work successfully online, showing perseverance with the initial IT up skilling that was required and being good examples for your children to follow, within your home environment.

This week in school, our efforts have focussed on risk assessing all the procedures that relate to the potential return of Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 after half term and cross referencing them with Government COVID-19 and Child Protection guidelines. I am confident that we can manage all the issues raised, however, the need for these new protocols will undoubtedly make the school environment totally different from the one we had before we were told to close. 

Deep cleaning, of the areas to be used, will take place all next week, signage will be introduced to manage each separate 'bubble' of children and teachers, staff members have been unfurloughed and there will be a training day for those involved in school based teaching on Monday, 1st June. We are therefore working towards Tuesday, 2nd June being the first day of the new system. Key workers’ children, who will now be in their own separate bubble, can still return to the Junior School on Monday, 1st June.  

We are planning to continue online and school based learning, simultaneously, as requested by parents, for these three year groups, however, we have only been able to manage this arrangement, due to the numbers of children involved. Going forward, we do not believe that this model will be possible when more year groups return in September. Mr Charlton, Mrs Cryan and Mrs Fox will communicate with Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 parents directly before they return, so that the children know more about the new environment they will meet. School uniform will not be necessary as children should come in with fresh, clean clothes every day. 

All the arrangements that are currently being planned for, may be subject to change when we are given further Government guidance regarding the infection rate on May 28th.

Farringtons Faraway continues to remind us of how amazing, capable and resilient your children are and I hope that this week's contributions will brighten your day. Farringtons Faraway link.

Thank you for the tremendous support you give to the school and please allow yourself and your family, a well-earned rest over half term.

With kind regards,

Dorothy Nancekievill

Head


18 May 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians,
 
Much planning and deliberation has gone on over the past week, regarding how to respond to the Government's strategy for reopening schools. My thanks to all Reception, Year 1 & 6 parents who completed our questionnaire, as it has certainly helped us to develop a strategy.
 
In Reception & Year 1, parents views were split, with approximately one third wanting their child to return to school and two thirds, preferring that they stayed at home. In Year 6 the responses were different, with the result being roughly half and half. This obviously creates a dilemma as initially, I felt that we had to do one thing, or the other, but not both. My feeling was that providing face to face learning, alongside continuing online for others, would be impossible. However, as the numbers in these year groups are manageable, we are currently planning to work towards offering consistent lessons in school and online, from June 1st. It is essential however, that parents, pupils and teachers remember that the school experience will not be the same as before we closed. 
 
For example;

  • Children may not be taught in their normal classrooms 
  • They will need to sit at tables on their own and complete desk based exercises, with limited access to shared resources
  • They will be assigned to a 'bubble' that they must remain in i.e. they cannot choose the group they are in and will not be allowed to socialise outside that bubble
  • Length of days will be different from before
  • Start and end times will be staggered
  • Parents will not be allowed on site
  • Movement around school will be limited
  • No food or transport will be provided
  • No-one should come to school with any of the COVID-19 symptoms and if a child becomes ill at school, they must be collected as soon as possible
  • There will be no activities, or after school clubs
  • PPE will be used if necessary
  • We are currently working on revised risk assessments covering all aspects of school life and the list of issues to be dealt with is extensive. The school will be deep cleaned over half term, new signage will be in place, personal hygiene protocols will be enforced should we return and I would urge parents of any child potentially coming in, to also consider their own circumstances and how they would minimise the risk of contamination between family members, when their child comes home.

 
There are many details that need to be finalised before we can share the fine detail of how this will work however, be assured that we are doing all we can to make wise decisions.
 
In the case of Pre Reception, we have thought long and hard about their needs and feel that desk based learning is neither beneficial, edifying, or possible for this age of child. We will therefore continue with the current arrangement, until the end of term. We will continue to review possibilities for Years 2-5 but there are currently no plans for them to return on a specific date. Senior School lessons will continue online after half term however, consideration will be given as to how to best support the practical side of Year 10 & 12 pupils learning.
 
As outlined above, much time over half term will be spent preparing the school for a phased return and everything will be done to make the site as safe as possible. If the professional advice changes, (including the infection update to be shared by the Government on May, 28th), my priority will remain to keep everyone out of harm's way and it may affect the decision to reopen, or not.
 
More detail will be shared with Reception, Year 1 & 6 parents by the end of the week.
 
Keep safe and well,
 
With kind regards,
 
Dorothy Nancekievill


15 May 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians,

I trust that you are having a productive week and are keeping safe and well.

The main focus at school since Sunday, has been to look at the implications of the Prime Minister's statement with regard to; teaching & learning, risk assessments, health & safety, social distancing, amending site procedures, plus many more considerations. Parents of Reception, Year 1 & 6 have been canvassed for their views about re-opening to a school environment that will be very different to the one we had before we were told to close by the Government.  I look forward to analysing their responses over the weekend. I will update you regarding what we intend to do after half term, on Monday 18 May.

Once again, Farringtons Faraway is fantastic, thank you for continuing to contribute so well. I was delighted that Dame Elizabeth Fradd, who was our guest at Senior Prize Giving two years ago and a pupil here in the 1960s, has shared a photograph of herself in her finery as High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. This is a highly prestigious, historic position and I am sure she will fulfil this role with distinction. Please view the link to this week's edition of Farringtons Faraway.

Your children are doing incredibly well online and I was delighted to share more admirably deserved Head's Commendations this week. I have also been able to look, via TEAMS, at a number of amazing lessons and assignments presented by teachers and well received by their pupils.

At the Governors’ Meeting last night, they asked me to acknowledge the great efforts made by pupils, teachers and parents since the school was told to lock down. They could clearly see the tremendous learning curve that has taken place, how well everyone has stepped up to the challenge and how the systems have continued to develop. Their thanks therefore go to all involved and I would add that their support during this period has been invaluable.

We are all reading advice from a number of sources every day, it can be rather overwhelming, however, I have often found over the past 30 plus years, that children are extremely perceptive and reflective and thought you might like to read, '8 Things I learned about distance learning simply by asking my children'.

https://www-fragments2-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.fragments2.com/blog/2020/5/9/8-things-i-learned-about-distance-learning-simply-by-asking-my-children?format=amp

Have a good weekend. Keep safe and well.

With kind regards,

Dorothy Nancekievill

Head


7 May 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians

It has been lovely to see so many pictures in the media about the celebrations enjoyed in 1945, on VE Day. Plans had previously been discussed with the FPA and we had intended to have a street party lunch today at school, with old fashioned games and a celebration cake to take home.  However, as I look out on the field I can only see quite a few rabbits and two foxes, rather than hundreds of children socialising and enjoying themselves. Please click here to read this week's exciting installment of 'Farringtons Faraway' which once again, is a joy to read.

During the First World War, the Farringtons girls were evacuated to Devon and at the start of the Second World War they took residence at the Trecarn Hotel in Babbacombe, as the School site was commandeered by the Government for military use.  Later in 1940, the School had to close because the RAF took over the hotel however, the spirit of the school was kept alive during the dark years of the war by the School Magazine, 'The Farringtonian' which contained letters from the old girls and staff. When peace finally came, work began to clean and restore the buildings ready to re-open. It made me ponder on the whole variety of ways we have been able to communicate with each other over the past few weeks, and ahead, to the matters we will have to consider when we are advised to re-open. 

Reflecting on this 75th Anniversary reminds us that is always good to celebrate on peace, friendship, fortitude and about how people adapt to every new situation they have to deal with, whether good or bad. All of our pupils and teachers in the community have certainly had to adapt and learn new skills since we closed on the advice of the Government. It was very helpful therefore, to have responses to our survey last weekend from 199 parents about online teaching. The main points raised from that exercise were:

Just over two thirds of the group who responded were happy with the amount of work set for pupils, with one third feeling that we were either giving too much, or not enough work

Two thirds felt that the current amount of screen time was about right, however, the other third felt that combined with further, non-school related screen time, it needed to be monitored
Regarding what was going well, feedback included for example; live lessons were successful and engaging, pre-recorded lessons allowed pupils to work at their own pace, the teachers should be congratulated on their endeavours, high quality lessons and encouragement, they liked the routine in the morning, the interaction with tutors and that assignments allowed the pupils the flexibility to juggle their work around specific family circumstances

Comments raised regarding what pupils were finding difficult, were for example; locating where some of the resources were saved, confusion over some deadlines, high volumes of work particularly if there were technical issues, staying focused in live lessons that lasted more than 30 minutes, the time required to complete homework and some parents requested more live lessons
Some top tips from parents included; structure the day, use the student planner to keep organised, be kind to yourself, review work completed at the end of the day, trust your child with managing their time and keep a sense of humour - there was also a suggestion about the need for chocolate and other treats to keep you going!
Rest assured that we will continue to develop our provision and once again thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Please find attached the Yr 11 and Yr 13 Academic Enrichment Programme information booklet about the new online courses starting on Monday.  Links to all Chapel services can be accessed either through TEAMS or from 'Farringtons Faraway', the weekly Senior Sports Challenges have been going really well and the, 'He's got the Whole World in His Hands' project is coming on apace.  Also attached is the second edition of Farringtons Extra-Curricular Remote Learning Resources.  

Last week, Mr Charlton and I awarded a number of Commendations for excellent pupil work and there have been many, many more this week. We will keep a record of these awards and will find a way of presenting a prize to the pupil with the highest number at half term.

The Bursar has received a few messages from parents about not receiving fee invoices.  Although we normally send these by post, this term they were all sent by email. If you have not yet received your fees invoice, please contact Mrs Bradley at [email protected] and she can resend the paperwork.

Please accept my best wishes for an enjoyable Bank Holiday Weekend and I cannot resist finishing with the words that I am sure we will hear a great deal tomorrow:

'We'll meet again

Don't know where

Don't know when

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

Keep smiling through

Just like you always do

Til the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away'

Keep safe and well.

With kind regards

Dorothy Nancekievill


Friday 1 May 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians

I am sure you have all had a busy and I hope, a successful and productive week.  This week's 'Farringtons Faraway' includes photos and videos of a wide range of student activities and I am extremely grateful to those of you who have sent them to Mrs Vail, please keep them coming in. A particular feature included this time, are updates from members of our Alumni. Please click on this week's link to Farringtons Faraway.

Although we have already had some contributions to the, 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands' project, we would welcome more recordings of you and your children singing about, 'Doctors and Nurses', 'Key Workers', 'Patients and their Families', 'Farringtons Community' and 'Pupils, Past and Present'. All the details you need are on the front page of Farringtons Faraway and all ages and stages are welcome to join in.

Also, you will have received a SchoolPost today providing information and the link to our questionnaire regarding online learning - we look forward to your feedback.

There have been many joys this week, but also continuing medical concerns about members of the school family.  Parents, teachers and children are all dealing with a situation that cannot be controlled, or that we want to be in and it is impossible to know, or understand each other’s particular pressures.

We can however, support and encourage each other, as we are all in this together and when things become difficult or frustrating, endeavour to be patient, wise and kind. 

Thank you for your continued support and keep safe and well.

With kind regards

Dorothy Nancekievill

Head


26 April

Dear Parents & Guardians,

The first week of term has been a completely different one to the norm, but nonetheless very exciting, with pupils, parents and teachers all doing a tremendous job of learning, working and communicating.

As you can imagine, the school has been extremely quiet, however, our Key Workers' children have been on top form, as have been Mrs Cryan and Mr Charlton who have been looking after them.

As pictures speak a thousand words, I would urge you to read the first edition of "Farringtons Faraway" - click here to view - as it is brimming full of pictures of our amazing pupils in action this week.

There are also details of a wonderful initiative from Mr Rowe and Mr Matthews, that we hope will involve the whole school, (including parents, grandparents, community choir members, FPA and Alumni), in recording, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" with some new, specially written verses - please get involved.

Thank you as always for all your support and keep safe.

With kindest regards

Dorothy A Nancekievill

Head'


Sunday 19 April 2020

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,

Welcome to Farringtons Summer Term Online.

It is always a privilege to speak to our pupils in our beautiful chapel, so please find the link to my Beginning of Summer Term Service below:

Within my talk, I have referred to inspirational figures like Captain Tom Moore, who reminds us that, "The sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away". I have also suggested ways that we can be the best of ourselves by being kind, keeping busy with school work, developing old, or new, skills and by being wise in our decision making at this difficult time.

Our school motto, Posside Sapientiam, reminds us to be wise in all we do and I would like to challenge everyone to work together to be positive and supportive during this anxious time for so many people.
The whole school photograph remains in front of the altar as a lovely reminder of every pupil and member of staff and will do so until we are allowed to re-open the school.

Although a very different start to our summer term, I do hope that by working with commitment, you will develop new skills, become more intellectually curious, more self-reliant and that as members of the Farringtons community your personal light will shine.

With kind regards,

Dorothy Nancekievill

Head


Wednesday 8 April

Dear Parents & Guardians,

Please accept my thanks to those of you who have so kindly sent in emails of support for the school at this anxious time for everyone, it has been most appreciated.

As far as I am currently aware; pupils, staff and family members are either well, coping with self-isolation, or recovering from illness.  We were extremely concerned, in particular, about a member of staff and the son of one of our teachers who were on ventilators, (but thankfully both are now home and getting better) and another teacher who had pneumonia. Every family situation will be very different however, please be assured of my continued thoughts and prayers as we work together to keep each other safe and well.

I also need to publicly thank the staff who have been working tirelessly and with a tenacious spirit, preparing for the brave new world of online teaching for the whole school. Much training, lateral thinking and many team meetings have been happening over the past two weeks, to get ready for the start of the Summer Term. Mrs Fox, Mrs Cryan, Mr Charlton and Mr Young will be in touch to give you much more detail just before term starts to tell you more about how the new regime will work. (Mr Charlton would be grateful if parents were able to provide Junior School children with access to a headset, microphone and camera).

We will of course review the provision weekly and are aiming to get a balance between your children sitting at a computer, interacting with teachers, being active, showing initiative, having feedback and enough time to be creative and reflective.

It would be foolhardy to promise that everything will be perfect from the start of the Summer Term however, I can promise that we are committed to doing all we can to support your children. The programme for all ages will be far more interactive than the end of last term, when we were coping with new systems alongside significant staff absence and, we have constructed a questionnaire that will be issued to all parents in week two, to establish how your children and you are coping at home.

I am also grateful to the staff who have agreed to go on furlough, for their understanding and resilience. It does mean however, that as the majority of staff on furlough are support staff, our usual support mechanisms will not be in place, therefore putting more pressure on those who are still working.

In some of the correspondence I have received, I have been made aware of understandable parental concerns about school fees and I have explained that there are three ways in which the school will strive to support parents should they be in need. They are; agreeing to a different sort of payment plan/delay with the Bursar, access to Hardship Funding and Bursary support in the longer term. Please contact Mrs Eldridge and me, if you would like to access any of these strategies. Be assured that we always operate tight financial protocols regarding our costs and all school fees paid remain within the Farringtons School control.

The FPA have continued to be highly supportive at this time and have suggested that the contribution normally paid to them should not be taken this term, it will therefore be removed from your school bill.

You will be pleased to learn that our Science goggles have found their way via Mrs Griffin, to frontline staff at Manor Brook Medical Centre (they were very pleased to receive this eye protection) and the Easter Eggs purchased for end of term prizes have been gratefully received by staff at Queen Mary’s Hospital.

These are incredibly uncertain times, the sooner things get back to normal the better, but in the meantime, I hope that over the weekend you will have time to enjoy being with your immediate families and to reflect on the true meaning of Easter.

With kind regards,

Dorothy Nancekievill

Head


Friday 3rd April

Dear Parents & Guardians,

Today, Ofqual have published their decisions regarding how public examination grades will be awarded - please see the full guidance here: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/how-gcses-as-a-levels-will-be-awarded-in-summer-2020

Please read this information carefully and be assured that the school will follow government guidance to the letter, to ensure that fair and objective grades can be awarded. 

Ofqual have published a very helpful letter for parents and students, outlining the specific ways in which grades will be awarded which includes; process, timelines and the rationale underpinning their thinking. I urge you to read the letter below carefully, it will answer many of the questions you might have. 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads
/attachment_data/file/877830/Letter_to_students_-_Summer_2020_grading.pdf 

These continue to be demanding times however, thank you for the support you are giving your children and the school. 

Keep safe and well, 

Dorothy Nancekievill

Head’


Monday 30 March 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians,

This is certainly the strangest End of Term letter that I have compiled however, it comes with my respect and gratitude towards every member of the Farringtons community. The Chaplain and I filmed a short Easter Service for the Senior and Junior Schools and I hope that you will encourage your children to listen and sing along. The links are below;

Our pupils have responded well to a new way of working which, although it has happened due to COVID-19, will greatly aid their academic development through having to take responsibility for their own learning. Education is for life and having the desire to be always open to new ideas and many different ways of operating, will ultimately ensure personal growth and intellectual rigour.

For parents, and I include staff members who are setting up online lessons whilst managing their own children, thank you for your fortitude and lateral thinking. I am always talking about the need for good role models and seeing parents working hard, under difficult circumstances, will also greatly influence your children’s view of the world and ability to cope under duress.

I would also like to publicly thank the staff who have embraced a new style of learning with little notice and whilst for some this is not a new phenomenon, for others it has been a giant leap. Over the holiday, further strategies will be developed to ensure more regular face to contact, more structured timetables, still with sensitivity towards families where adults and children are all working from home and sharing devices, and Well-Being lessons.

Two crucial members of my finance team have both been ill and away from work for most of the past two weeks which is why I have not communicated any update regarding next term’s school fees. There are important meetings with our Governors and the Methodist Independent Schools Trust regarding the way forward this week, therefore in the meantime, no school bills will be issued until these have happened and we have completed more financial modelling. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Please find attached a long list of activities and events that took place before school life changed completely – I hope the list provides some joyful reminders! We have also received a large number of supportive messages from the school Alumni this week which is very encouraging.  

I have certainly missed handing out certificates, acknowledging many successes and presenting much egg shaped chocolate this week, but nevertheless pray that you all keep safe, well and in good spirits during the Easter Break.

With great affection and concern for every school family,

Dorothy A Nancekievill

Head







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Chislehurst
Kent
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