I begin by sharing with all families and the wider community our message of support in difficult times.  We can help in many ways, some already shared and with more to come.  To help with our mission to help you we are working hard to "re-purpose" our website this week and create an information hub for you to easily access what you need.  This includes home learning ideas, critical services and a place to easily access key updates over time. Please be patient while we make this happen.

Distance learning

We are beginning our home learning project with you by making sure regular ongoing work is being received and this has started really well.  There will be hiccups on the way and we will try to solve them quickly - sometimes things go wrong and adaptations will need to be made - again your forbearance is appreciated.  Social media is already lighting up with examples of great activity - Twitter is a good place to start @minster_school along with associated feeds - the PE department is trailblazing at the moment. See the photo of home exercise in action!

We are receiving questions about when video lessons and interactive learning are coming.  They are being explored in the background and these will emerge in areas of the curriculum over time.

On-site provision

The school remains open for a small group of students who need it.  You will, by now, be familiar with the qualifying criteria as outlined in an earlier news story on this site.  Things are rapidly evolving.  The Minster School and its buildings will be the local education hub for Southwell and will host children from all the family of schools, this is happening very fast and will be the case for all local schools by the beginning of next week.  There will be very small numbers of children in total.

It may be that you don't need the service yet but will do in the future - we are here daily to look after and educate vulnerable children and those of key workers when no other care is available. Bookings are taken through the form which can be accessed by using the link below.  We are also responsive to emergency requests from key workers - just email office@minster.notts.sch.uk . If you need to cancel a booking please let us know through the aforementioned email if you can.

Provision Booking Form

Exams

We have yet to receive any further information beyond that already shared about exams and the awarding of grades but quite a number of staff are receiving emails about the situation and how the grades will be awarded; also what the aspirations are for individual students.  The queries are understandable.  However, the processes put in place first need to be established by exam boards and then staff need to have the opportunity to implement them.  As Head of Exam Centre I am party to all available public information and it looks like the appeals procedure (which will definitely exist) will include the requirement for the appellant to take an examination in the Autumn, although this is not 100% certain yet.  Schools have only outline information at this stage and we will certainly share with parents when we can.  There is no information about the dates when submissions of grades will be made, although there are indications that grades will be awarded during July. Teaching staff cannot provide you with any further information at this stage.

I hope you are well and do keep safe in these trying times - the link at the top of the home page of the website quickly takes you to key contacts when you need them.

Matthew Parris

Head Teacher