Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Free School Meals

FREE SCHOOL MEAL PROVISION

As you will be aware the Government have introduced a new free school meal voucher scheme whilst the schools are closed with a 3rd party company called Edenred. This letter is to inform you that The Four Stones Multi Academy Trust has registered all of our parents/carers who have a child that receives free school meals and that have provided a valid email address. These parent/carers will automatically receive a weekly £15 voucher (per child) by email, which will start from Monday 20th April and will run initially for 5 weeks, whereby it will be reviewed when we receive further information.
 
Where we do not hold a valid email address for a parent/carer, the free school meal voucher will be on the Hillgrove reception from 20th April 2020. These vouchers will need to be collected weekly, on a Monday for the following 5 weeks. If you have a valid email address please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and future vouchers can be emailed to you.
 
Information on how and where the vouchers can be used will be included with the voucher.  The vouchers, issued by Edenred, can be used in multiple supermarkets, which we know will provide more flexibility for our families.
 
Please note that the government backed scheme (detailed above) currently does not cover the school holiday periods.  As a Trust we have taken a ‘one off’ decision to fund a further batch of Sainsbury’s vouchers to the value of £30 per student to cover the Easter holiday period. We appreciate this may not be the voucher of choice for every family, but as a trust we have had to identify the simplest and most effective solution available to us to ensure that we can provide support across our network of schools. 
 
Again the Sainsbury vouchers will be emailed to parents/carers who have provided a valid email address and will be on the Hillgrove reception from Monday 6th April 2020 if a valid email address has not been provided.
 
We must stress that this decision to fund the voucher during the holiday periods cannot be sustained unless funded by the Government, this therefore will be a ‘one-off’ gesture to support families during the early stages of this situation.  Generally, schools and educational establishments are not required to provide vouchers during the school holidays and many will not be able to due to either funding or administrational circumstances.  We therefore kindly ask that you do not assume that other schools will be able to provide vouchers to any other children or relatives of other children.
 
Please note that we are awaiting guidance from the Government in regards to when schools will re-open and possible future vouchers being required. We will ensure that we keep you updated with this information.
 
BE AWARE OF SCAM EMAILS

We have been informed that some parents have received an email stating the following: ‘As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported’.
 
We can confirm that this is a scam email and is not official. We urge parents that if you receive any emails like this, please do not respond, and delete it immediately.

Student's Work

Students working from home

Please click here for more information.

Examinations & Assessments

Examinations

Summer 2020

On Wednesday 18^th March, the Government announced that all GCSE, AS and A Level examinations and assessments will be cancelled this summer. This was to support the fight to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

On Friday 3^rd April, Ofqual released further guidance as to how the GCSE, AS, vocational courses (BTECs, WJEC Tech awards, OCR Nationals and AQA Tech awards) and A Level grades will be awarded this summer. The guidance states that:

• Ofqual’s over-riding aim in awarding the grades is to be fair to students this summer and to make sure they are not disadvantaged in their progress to sixth form, college, university, apprenticeships, training or work because of these unprecedented conditions;
• for each GCSE and A Level subject, we will send the exam boards: a centre assessment grade for each student. This is the grade we believe each student was most likely to get if teaching, learning and exams had happened as planned; and the order of students, by performance, for each grade;
• The students will be issued a calculated grade. Ofqual and the exam boards will standardise the grades across schools and colleges, to make sure that, as far as possible, results are fair and that students are not advantaged or disadvantaged. They state that students’ individual performance will not be predetermined by their prior attainment at KS2 or GCSE. Please note that the final grade students get may be different from the centre assessment grade we send to the exam board;
• the grades awarded to students will have equal status to the grades awarded in other years and should be treated in this way by sixth forms, universities, colleges and employers; and
• Ofqual are focused on making sure students are not disadvantaged by these unprecedented circumstances including allowing for an appeal where appropriate. Students who feel that their grades from the summer do not reflect their ability will have the opportunity to take their exams in the autumn series or in summer 2021. If they choose to do this, both grades will stand.
• Calculated Grade Results will be released on the published results days. These are 13^th August for A level and 20^th August for GCSE.
• On Monday 17^th August, the government announced, in agreement with Ofqual, to revert to the centre assessment grades (for both A level and GCSE) which schools assessed students as most likely to achieve had they sat the examinations this summer. The announcement can be found by following this link.

Procedure used for assigning centre assessment grades

The school considered a range of assessments for each student in determining their centre assessed grade: their classwork; their results in assessments and any mock exams; any non-exam assessment or coursework; and their general progress in each subject. Teachers will also apply their considerable experience of their subjects, examinations and the students they teach, when making decisions about the centre assessment grades. The centre assessment grades are not determined by a single teacher and have been subject to a stringent moderation process. The guidance document states that schools must be cautious in accepting any work submitted from Years 11 and 13 students after Friday 20^th March when all schools were directed to close. As a school we took the decision not to set any additional formal assessments over the period of home learning in order to ensure fairness. The process the school followed in making the centre assessment grade decisions is outlined below:

Stage 1: Subject leaders identified the pieces of assessment evidence which would be used to generate the centre assessment grades. This evidence was selected from assessments completed since the start of the Key Stage.

Stage 2: Subject leaders decided upon the weighting each piece of evidence would have in generating a final subject mark

Stage 3: Subject leaders ranked the students

Stage 4: Teachers assigned each student a centre assessment grade based upon the rank of the students, previous years grade boundaries and school grade distributions

Stage 5: Departments met as a group, moderated and finalised every students’ grade and rank. Where there are small numbers in a department teachers worked in collaboratively in the Multi Academy Trust.

Stage 6: Senior leaders checked every students’ grades for disparities and consistency in following the process.

Stage 7: Data is inputted and checked by a second party for clerical errors.

Stage 8: The head of centre checked the data for clerical errors and authorised.

Calculated grades

This year's grades have been calculated through a combination of centre assessment grades and the rank order of students by their expected performance provided by schools and colleges, and a model of national standardisation developed by Ofqual and the exam boards to make sure that all grades are fair and valid. You can find out more about this process by watching Ofqual's explainer video, or visiting their website
 
Standardisation is the process used by Ofqual and the exam boards to make sure that the same standards are applied across different schools and colleges. The standardisation model will make sure grades are fair and that students are not advantaged or disadvantaged if their school or college was more generous or harsh when grades were put forward. The model will make sure that average grades across the country are not significantly higher or lower than previous or future years - if the spread of grades were significantly different this year, it would undermine their value.

Final Grades

The government have announced that the students should not receive a final grade that is lower than the centre assessment grade. The final grade, issued from the examination board, is either the centre assessment grade or the calculated grade if it is higher. The final grades should be used for any future pathway applications and will appear on the examination certificates that will be issued later in the autumn term.

Appeals

King Charles I School is committed to ensuring that whenever our staff assesses students’ work for external qualification, this is done fairly, consistently and in accordance with the specification for the subject concerned. The centre assessment grades have been conducted by staff who have appropriate knowledge, understanding and skills, and who have been trained in this activity.

Students cannot appeal their centre assessment grade or final (calculated) grade. Students will also no longer be able ask their school to appeal their awarded grade on the basis of a ‘mock’ exam. The students can only appeal a result on the grounds of:

1. Data error – where the school or exam board has made an error when entering the data.
2. Bias and discrimination – where the student has evidence that the school has showed bias or discrimination.

All appeals must come from the centre on a candidate’s behalf, if agreed, with the candidate’s consent. Candidates cannot appeal directly to awarding bodies.

If you wish to make an appeal, please complete the appeal application form and send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Thursday 17th September 2020 (where university places are pending, we will submit applications as soon as possible following the release of the examination results).

Ofqual has published guidance on appeals, malpractice and maladministration complaints for students who received their GCSE, AS and A level grades in England in summer 2020, summarising the information they have previously published and including contact details for additional help and support.

Autumn 2020

JCQ have now confirmed the dates for the autumn examination series. These examinations are for students who wish to improve on the calculated grade issued by the examination board in the summer. Students can enter by completing the entry form found here. The school will pay the examination entry fees.

The deadline for completing the required entry form will be 1 September for GCE examinations and these examinations will take place between 5th – 23rd October.

The deadline for completing the required entry form will be 11 September for GCSE examinations and these examinations will take place between 2nd – 23rd November.

Further information:

• Summer 2020 GCSE, AS and A level, Extended project Qualification and Advance Extension Award in maths: Guidance for teachers, students, parents and carers.
• Ofqual message for all GCSE, AS and A level students this summer
• National Careers Service: Post 16 options
• National Careers Service: Post 18 options
• JCQ decision tree: Useful advice on appeals, awarding grades and malpractice.
• Ofqual have published a fact sheet and film for schools and stakeholders which provides more detail about how GCSE, AS and A level grades will be standardised this summer.
• Guidance on understanding your qualifications grades this summer and the next steps.
• Appeal arrangements for AS, A levels and GCSEs
• Student guide to appeals and malpractice or maladministration complaints: summer 2020
• JCQ Video and Infographics
• Information for students about GCSEs. AS and A levels and other qualifications in 2020

General Information

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

Coronaviruses are a group of related viruses that can cause respiratory tract infections. The COVID-19 is a particular strain of the coronaviruses. Those infected with the virus may either be asymptomatic (experience no symptoms) or can develop flu-like symptoms such as:

• a cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath

But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

If any person in a household has a persistent cough or fever, everyone living there must stay at home and self-isolate for 14 days. These people should avoid leaving the house. 

Prior to the school closure, we had made a number of changes to our normal working practices to ‘socially distance’ our school community as much as practically possible. Measures we are taking include:

• Cleaning and disinfecting regularly touched objects and surfaces more often than usual using our standard cleaning products
• Encouraging students to ensure they wash their hands for 20 seconds more often than usual with soap and water or hand sanitiser
• Encouraging students to catch coughs and sneezes in tissues
• Postponing or cancelling all extra-curricular activity that is not exam related up until the Easter holidays. These included:
  • Spring music concert scheduled for Tuesday 17^th March;
  • WW1 trip to Belgium scheduled for Wednesday 18^th March to 20^th March;
  • The Author visit scheduled for Monday 23^rd March
  • Years 8-10 awards afternoon scheduled for Thursday 26^th March;
  • Awards evening scheduled for Thursday 26^th March;
  • Girls handball final (winter school games) scheduled for Thursday 26^th March
  • The school production scheduled for Wednesday 1^st April, Thursday 2^nd April and Friday 3^rd April; and
  • Year 10 Future choices day scheduled for Friday 3^rd April
• Cancelling all non-essential visitors to school. If parents/carers wish to discuss their child’s education, please do so by email or phone, as we will not be inviting any of our parents or partner agencies into school for meetings.
• Cancelling the 8 Year 12 students on current work experience placements
• Cancelling all sixth form students commuting between King Charles I School, Haybridge High School and Hagley Catholic High School.
• Extracurricular clubs and activities will continue to run as the students will not be in contact with others from outside the school.

Further Advice

Further advice

The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is now available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Parents and students can contact this helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

Where to find the latest information:

• Updates on COVID-19: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
• Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
• Latest Department for Education information: https://twitter.com/educationgovuk https://www.facebook.com/educationgovuk/
• Public Health England: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
• Department for Education: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
• UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
• Ofqual: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual
  
  
• Information for parents and carers about the closures of schools and other educational settings:
  • Closure of educational settings: information for parents and carers
  • Guidance for schools, childcare providers, colleges and local authorities in England on maintaining educational provision
  • Closure of educational settings: information for parents and carers
• DfE: Further details on exams and grades announced
• Ofqual: Further details on exams and grades announced
• JCQ Response to the Department for Education’s Statement
• Guidance to answer common questions in relation to the cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A levels due to the Coronavirus outbreak
• Coronavirus travel guidance for education settings

Support for children and young people:

Provider	Support available
Children’s Commissioner	A downloadable guide for children and young people about the coronavirus, including proactive advice to support mental wellbeing.
PHE	Rise Above is a website co-created and produced by young people. It aims to build resilience and support good mental health in young people aged 10 to 16. The content has been adapted to COVID-19 and includes new mental health content based on insights from young people remote schooling.
NHS	NHS website NHS.UK mental health information section signposting to Every Mind Matters and a range of helplines hosted by voluntary community organisations.
NHS	NHS Apps library helps people find apps and online tools to help manage their health and wellbeing. We are working closely with NHSX to rapidly review apps for children and young people’s mental health and make them available via this apps library. For example, Think Ninja is an app specifically designed to educate 10-18 year olds about mental health, emotional wellbeing and to provide skills young people can use to build resilience and stay well. It has been adapted to COVID-19 to bring self-help knowledge and skills to children and young people (10-18 years old) who may be experiencing increased anxiety and stress during the crisis.
NHS	NHS mental health providers, including children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS), are continuing to operate and many have already transitioned to delivering elements of care digitally to help maintain continuity of care and make best use of resources.  For NHS mental health support, children and young people or their parents or carers can contact their GP or refer to NHS 111 online. Local CYPMH services will also have information on access on their websites. Self-referral options are commonly available and many services offer single points of access. This means there is a single set of contact information through which all queries and referrals are channelled through. Find out more about children and young people’s mental health services here.
NHS	For those in mental health crisis, most parts of England have a helpline to access support. You can find out the number to ring for your local area at nhs.uk.
NHS	Children and young people who are caring for someone with a mental illness can self-refer to the NHS Volunteer Responders programme using this link if they are having issues shopping for food or picking up prescriptions.
Voluntary and Community Sector	Children and young people can access free confidential support anytime from Government-backed voluntary and community sector organisations by texting SHOUT to 85258, calling Childline on 0800 1111 or the Mix on 0808 808 4994. For support with an eating disorder, children and young people can ring Beat’s Youthline on 08088010711. Children and young people can also find online information on COVID-19 and mental health on the Young Minds website.
Schools	School nurses continue to have and maintain contact with children and young people, focussing on key public health issues such as mental health and supporting vulnerable groups including young carers. Mental health and wellbeing is also a core part of the new RSHE curriculum. Some schools will offer additional support from counsellors, an NHS Mental Health Support Team or a voluntary and community sector organisation such as Place 2 Be.
Local support	Most council websites have great information about COVID-19 mental wellbeing support, including community and neighbourhood support.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding

Students who have been allocated a social worker (those students who are subject to a Child in Need Plan, a Child Protection Plan or who are Looked After) have all been contacted to confirm if they will be attending school. If these students are not attending, staff will be telephoning every week, during term time, to check on their welfare.

Please click here to view our Coronavirus Safeguarding Policy.

We are aware the Coronavirus national emergency will cause all sorts of strains and anxieties in families and in the community. We would like to make you aware of the following services to help and support your sons/daughters whilst isolating at home:

• You can contact school if you have safeguarding concerns for your own children or are aware of risks to other children. This includes any type of abuse (physical, emotional, neglect or sexual), child sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, domestic abuse, alcohol or drug misuse. In the event of any safeguarding concern, please contact Chris Gibson directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call on 07399 281324.
• You can also choose to self-refer or anonymously report a concern to Worcestershire Children’s First on 01905 822666 (out of hours 01905 768020).
• Kidderminster Food Banks can be contacted on 01562 746600, if you need that support. However, please be aware that these services are currently under strain. We also have a stock of sanitary towels in school for student use. Please contact Chris Gibson if required.
• Students who are young carers will be under great strain. If we are aware of young carers, we will contact them directly. If anyone else becomes a young carer, please contact us for support. Please be aware we expecting some of these services will be very strained during this period so some patience may be needed. However, if you are struggling, please contact us and we may be aware of alternative choices. Information will be updated as we find out more.
• We have compiled a useful list of resources that should help to inform you about how to keep you or your children safe. Many of these websites and services have been updated specifically to advise students and parents/carers on keeping safe during the school closures. You can access these by following this link.

E-Safety

During the school closures, we are aware there will be a strain on you to supervise your children. Please make sure you are checking laptops/PCs/tablets and phones and that parental controls and privacy settings are set on social media. It is advisable that you do regular checks to ensure your sons/daughters are safe online.

• We have compiled a useful list of resources that should help to inform you about how to keep you or your children safe online. Many of these websites and services have been updated specifically to advise students and parents/carers on keeping internet safe during the school closures. You can access these by following this link.
• "Think You Know" have produced new activity packs with simple 15 minute activities you can do with your child to support their online safety at a time when they will spending more time online at home.
• If you feel your child is at risk or you know something has happened, please contact CEOP (Child Online and Protection Agency) on https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ or use the Report Abuse button which you can search on Google.
• If there are serious cyberbullying issues ring 101 and a PCSO will assist.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is a particularly anxious time for everyone. There may be a strain on students’ mental health and wellbeing during the school closures. We have compiled a useful list of resources that should help to inform you about how to look after your, or your child’s, mental health and wellbeing. Many of these websites and services have been updated specifically to advise students and parents/carers during the school closures. You can access these by following this link.

 

Admissions

Admissions Information

In-year Admissions

King Charles I School will continue to process all in-year applications that we receive. Parents/carers should email the form onto the Worcester County Council School Admissions Section at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note that, due to school closures, there may be a delay in informing you of an outcome. Further information can be found here.

Year 7 2020/21

We are delighted that so many Year 6 parents/students and students have chosen to come to King Charles in September 2020. The school closures will likely affect some of our normal transition activities. We will be writing to all parents/carers individually to give you further updates on our transition process. All correspondence to date will be available here. If you have any questions about the transition arrangements, please contact Mr Wilkinson (head of the Borrington Site) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Parents/Carers that still wish to make an application should do so using the Late Application form (available here). We advise that, to ensure that your application will be considered for September, you apply before July. If you apply later in July and/or during the school holidays, there is no guarantee that your application will be processed in time for a September start.

Year 12 2020/21

We are now enrolling students to the King Charles I School Sixth Form. Due to the school closures students have not been able to sit their examinations. As a result, we will be relaxing the course entry criteria to ensure the students are not disadvantaged in reaching their desired post-16 pathway. If required, students will be contacted to discuss course suitability. To enrol at King Charles I School please complete the online form available here. Course preparation material will be sent out to students in the summer term. If you have any queries please contact Ruth Allen on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Policies

Policies

Accessibility Plan During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Code of Conduct COVID-19 Internal Appendix

Examinations COVID-19 Annex

Safeguarding Policy 2019-20 Appendix 10: COVID-19

SEND Policy During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Attendance Policy During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Praise Newsletter

Fortnightly Praise Newsletter

Praise Newsletter 1 - May 2020

Praise Newsletter 2 - June 2020

Praise Newsletter 4 - July 2020

King Charles Challenge

King Charles I School Challenge

“Trying new things is the only way you’re going to learn what your new passions are.”
     Lauren Skonieczny

One task that we are asking all students to do is to create a diary. What we are experiencing now is living history. Our children are part of this and it will be talked about for generations to come. Schools are closed, sports are cancelled, shops are closed, people are quarantined and not just in the UK. This is happening at a global level. Their diary can be hand written, typed or videoed, and include photographs or drawings. As parents/carers you could even let them interview you. When it’s all over your son/daughter can store or save the diary and then they will be able to share it with their children or grandchildren.

We have set a number of challenges to complete whilst you are not in school. We feel it is important that you use this time for something positive, this could be learning a new skill, spending time with your family creating memories, completing practical tasks and taking on a challenge. These will be issued on a weekly basis. They will be included in the head of year weekly student email, the weekly pastoral letter and will also be available on the website in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section.

Select from a variety of challenges but always check with parents/carers before you undertake the challenge. Share completed challenges, successes or failures by sending photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Challenges

Life skill/Personal challenge	Family/Practical	Academic/Puzzle	Acts of kindness	Health and Wellbeing
Bake a cake	Create an Easter egg hunt for your family	Create a Puzzle Book You and a family member could create a puzzle book for each other. Make your own mazes, wordsearches, crosswords etc. then swap over and complete each other’s.	Read to a sibling Read to a younger sibling / get them to read to you.	‘Sally up Sally down’ Squat challenge
Learn sign language	Decorate a hard boiled egg for Easter	Sudoku puzzles	Help in the garden Plant some flowers, mow the lawn, weed the garden, help with a general tidy up.	Take on the ‘oh na na’ dance challenge.
Make a shopping list - £20 limit	Recreate a family picture from over 5 years ago	Play a board game with your family	Thanks to the NHS Write a letter to an NHS worker or hospital to give thanks And take part in the Thursday night clap of appreciation at 8pm	Family Obstacle Course! Create a fun obstacle course in the garden or an exercise circuit and use the timer on your phone to time each family member completing it. Whoever is the fastest wins a certificate made by you!
Couch to 5K	Make some Easter Crafts	Take a virtual tour of the Great Wall of China	Create an Easter card	Burpee challenge
Cook a meal for your family	Make a photo album Either print pictures and make a physical photo album or make a collage on your phone / device.	Watch a NT Live broadcast	House Picnic Make some of your favourite snacks for you and your family to enjoy.	Create a ‘workout’ playlist to motivate you
Learn to play chess	Recycle your rubbish into useful items	Complete the British Council Language Challenge French German	Write a letter for an elderly person who is self-isolating	Have a go at Zumba
Learn to sign	Create an origami swan	Take a virtual trip to Mars	Create a welcome for the new Year 6 students A welcome poster and take a picture and send it in. Write a short ‘this is what you need to know’ paragraph and send it in to share with Year 6	Practise your press-ups How many can you do? Challenge a friend or family member
Sew a button	Make a photomontage Digital, or old school cut and paste.	Learn to teach New Generation Teachers is a scheme for students at home to learn how to teach. Complete the course and gain certification	Communicate Speak to or message someone different from your contacts list every day to make sure they are okay	KCI PE Challenge Have ago at number 7 Gymnastics
Learn to Juggle See Youtube for a range of clips to help	Plant some seeds and grow some veg for the summer	Learn how to code	Sort through your things and create a charity bag ready to donate when the shops are open	Meditation
Design your own 8 bit avatar	Write a treasure hunt for your family around your house and / or garden	Write a persuasive letter to potential Year 6 students selecting a secondary school	Chose an act of kindness each day from the table below or this link	Try the toilet roll footy challenge
DIY Learn how to hand a picture on the wall (ask an adult first!)	Draw a Family Portrait. Get your family to pose for a photo. Use the photo to recreate a family portrait drawn by you.	Create your own computer game	Do the washing up	HIIT Workout (15min work and rest)
Learn how to fix a puncture on your bike	Make an omelette Resource from Mrs Finney in your HOY email	Listen to a free book on Audible	Put the bins out this week (remember to wash your hands)	Try a Sweaty Betty session
Learn how to count to 20 in a different language using google translate or the Duolingo app	Learn to perform a card trick	Sign up to iDEA and complete 1 badge	Make an origami titanic and see if you can make it sail the length of your bath without it sinking	Try a hiphop dance session
Make some pancakes for your family	No phone zone 12-4pm	Listen to a podcast Radiolab Six minutes Stuff you missed in History class What's Good Games	Deliver a homemade card or flowers to someone’s doorstop who is self-isolating	Rehydrate Drink 2-4 litres of water per day

PE Challenges

Please click below to view the PE Challenges:

PE Challenges - Week 1

PE Challenges - Week 2

PE Challenges - Week 3

Worcestershire Virtual School Games