Family Information and FOPHS News Friday 11th October 2024
It has been a week of variable weather conditions, as we expect in Autumn. Today, the big coat got it’s first outing. I’m happy not to be living in Florida as the hurricane warnings are scary. Another week with a departmental coffee afternoon. It was good to see parents who are new to school and those who have been with us for a while. Sarah introduced ELTBA, with a great explanation of how learning happens in this pathway. Parents/carers then had the opportunity to speak with class teachers, therapists, and support staff. Some students and staff wore yellow for World mental Health Day this week and raised funds for “Young Minds”. The fantastic Harvest Festival collection continues with boxes full to the brim of goods to send to The People’s Kitchen.” Thank you to everyone who supported.
11.10.24
Events:
Engagement Pathway coffee afternoon: Tuesday 15th October 14-15.00
That will be the last of the departmental coffee and catch-up sessions for this half term.
You can find information on future events here:
Online Safety
The link to the Online safety information can be found on the school website under the heading “Parent and carers area”, then “online safety” from the dropdown menu.
It is here: https://www.percyhedley.org.uk/percy-hedley-school/e-safety/
This week’s online safety blog is on
Helping Our Children Stay Safe Online: Understanding Cyberbullying
You can find it here:
Online Safety blogs – Percy Hedley School
You can find the link to previous weekly online blogs here:
https://www.percyhedley.org.uk/percy-hedley-school/weekly-newsletter/online-safety-blogs/
Information
Free School Meals. Those who fall within the criteria for free school meals who are on a low income will have provided me with evidence, and until March 2025 you will receive a voucher to the value of £15 per week in school holidays. This is to support you in providing your child with a meal something you may rely on school to provide when they are in school. Do you think you may be eligible? If so, please check the form in the link and contact me urgently so that I can support.
16-19 Student Bursary. Post 16 is not considered mandatory education. Students can choose to leave school at 16, when they have done their GCSE’s. However, government policy is still that they should remain in education or training until they are 18. As a result, things like school meals, transport, additional costs associated with Post 16 education including residential, meals and costs of work experience or trips taken in school can be covered by a bursary.
There are 2 types; students can claim just 1.
- Vulnerable Student Bursary.
- This is for those who are self-supporting financially so are in receipt of Income Support/Universal Credit in their own right. (None of our students currently are in this category.
- Students in Local Authority Care or recently left Local Authority Care.
- Students in receipt of both PIP/DLA AND Universal Credit where limited capacity for work related activity (LCWRA) has been established.
- Discretionary Student Bursary.
- This is for students where the household income (not including the young person’s benefits, example DLA/PIP) is less than £40,000 per annum.
The bursary is used to cover the cost of school meals, residential trips and other needs as assessed and approved by the head of Post 16. Funds are provided by the Skills Funding Agency to reduce barriers to education for Post mandatory education/training. A big factor is attendance, those students who are not attending school regularly may receive a lower amount or not be considered for a bursary. The bursary is intended to support the accreditation of the student. It is not a fund whereby the student or parent/carer decides how the money is spent. School is accountable for how funds are spent and retain records to ensure that they are spent on the student.
I have sent letters in July and September to establish eligibility and still await some replies. Some of you have already provided the evidence and I appreciate it.
Hydrotherapy:
A parent has advised me that there will be a hydrotherapy pool opening soon in Newton Aycliffe. If this is of interest here is the link to the article: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/PrmNvvRCgKNNwFAA/
Activities:
Safari Zoo; South Lakes.
Half price admission during October, or even better if you book early £2 admission tickets. This includes most of half term too.
Daydream Cinema
Daydream Cinema returns to Gosforth Civic Theatre on Monday 28th October for two spooky screenings.
We’ll be hosting Relaxed Screenings of Disney’s Fantasia and An Interview with the Vampire designed to be accessible and welcoming to Neurodivergent audiences. Everyone is welcome to attend.
I’d love to see you there with a group from your organisation.
- 3pm doors, 3:30pm start – Disney’s Fantasia (U)
- 6pm doors, 6:30pm start – Interview with the Vampire (15) Craft-Along Screening
You can find out more about the event and each film screening, and book tickets through our website here.
Our Pay What You Can On The Day option means you pay nothing when you book and and then you can make a donation on the day if you are able to. We do not want cost to be a barrier for audiences to attend screenings, so please don’t worry if you are not able to pay at this time.
Alternatively, you can reply to this email and let me know how many tickets you want for each screening. contactdaydreamcinema@gmail.com
Half Term Events in Newcastle
Children and Families Newcastle East
Please note, this is not a SEND specific event but may be of interest to some. It is restricted to Newcastle residents only.
Book your free places now for half term by using the QR code or click https://forms.office.com/e/2YwGjMANta
Children who get free school meals will get priority.
Alan Shearer Centre.
Re-sharing as half term approaches. Remember that membership of the Alan Shearer Centre is free and there is an enclosed garden and play area, a gaming room, sensory room, sensory cave. There is also a hydrotherapy pool, but I am reliably informed it is very difficult to get a booking. I also read that they are opening a new quiet room!
Here’s a link to the website:
https://alanshearercentre.org.uk/activity-centre/
Here is a link to the membership form:
https://alanshearercentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/membershipApplicationForm.pdf
October Half Term Holiday Activities
Smile Through Sport.
Another one I am sharing again, so that you have them all in 1 blog.
October Half Term Holiday Activities
“We are running multi-sport sessions over the half term week for children and young people with SEND. There is a session for 4-7 year olds and a couple of sessions for 8-19 year olds across the Tyne & Wear area. I have attached the poster for more detail, if you are able to share the poster with parents/carers across your social media platforms that would be greatly appreciated”.
Tim Lamb Centre:
Here is another local activity centre situated in the Rising Sun Country Park in Benton which has a lovely, fully accessible outdoor play area with a wheelchair accessible swing and roundabout and accessible pathway. There is accessible changing available, although not an official “changing place”, it has a change bed and hoist. It does get busy in school holidays though. Tim Lamb also has caravans located in Northumberland and the Lake District which are available to members and their families for short breaks at a reduced rate.
Here is the link: https://pathways4all.co.uk/how-we-can-help-you/caravans/
Here is a link to the website: https://pathways4all.co.uk/tim-lamb-centre/
Here’s what they say:
“We have a fun filled week of activities available for October half term in store for you all.
Please note half term is available to members and siblings only with a valid membership.
Unfortunately, our foam party has now sold out. All other activities are drop-in session and booking is not required.
The Tim Lamb Centre is a specialist play and leisure facility for children with disabilities / additional needs and their siblings. Please bring evidence of your child’s disability/ additional needs with you on your first visit.
*Family membership is available to any family who has a child with disabilities/ additional needs.
Save time upon arrival, complete your membership form before your first visit.”
Alnwick Garden/Lilledorei
There are some seasonal activities at Alnwick Garden and Lilledorei. Visit the website for more information:
https://www.alnwickgarden.com/
https://www.lilidoreialnwick.co.uk/
Remember too that there is a “changing place” at Alnwick Garden
Seven Stories:
Visit the website for more information:
https://sevenstories.org.uk/plan-your-visit/whats-on/
Ouseburn Farm:
Free entry and while you’re there visit Café Beam and perhaps combine with a visit to Seven Stories which is next door
https://www.ouseburnfarm.org.uk/
FoPHS News:
Christmas Cards. I hope that you liked receiving your child/young person’s design. These have been sent off now. Although there is a fund-raising element to this, it is as important for you to be able to see their work and share with friends and family. In previous years we have had lovely comments from parents.
FoPHS 100 Club.
We have 33 numbers taken to date. This is well below previous years. For FoPHS to support school we need the revenue this generates. If you can support, it would be hugely appreciated. We use these funds to pay for memberships.
Facebook Page
This is a closed group for family and friends of Percy Hedley School, where you can share news and updates about school life. It is not for external professionals who may be working with families. To join, you need to answer the question stating your link with school.
Please note: this group is for sharing news and updates about school life and is not intended to discuss any issues around individual students, and as such all comments are moderated. If you have a particular issue or concern, please contact school directly on 0191 216 1811.
Meeting new parents/carers for the first time in person this week and talking about home and school working together led to this week’s quote!
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” —Helen Keller
Contact details
Eileen Robinson: Family Liaison Officer
Email: e.robinson@percyhedley.org.uk
Telephone: 0191 2161811 ext. 3260.