Please click to view the letter sent to parents on 11 November 2020 and FAQs for schools.
LEARNING RECOVERY
Please find below links to resources to assist pupils with learning recovery -
Please click below for more information on -
FAQs issued by Highland Council regarding schools reopening in August
FAQs specific to Dingwall Academy
FAQs regarding face coverings
Risk Assessment for whole school
Email to parents and protocols
Revised structure of the school day
Support for Dingwall Academy Pupils and Families during Coronavirus School Closure
SCHOOL SUPPORTS
Context
The school building is closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, however Dingwall Academy is still very much here for our school community. We are living in unprecedented times with pupils, families and staff doing their
best to support learning, teaching and well-being at home. It is a time of great uncertainty affecting all aspects of our lives. Family and friends may be shielding, self-isolating or unwell and there may also be death as a
result of COVID-19. Employment is impacted and our school community is affected through people in key workers roles, working from home, furloughed or jobs lost. It is important to remember as the weeks go by, that school is closed as part of wider measures to save lives. When schools closed in March, we were already concerned about not having daily contact with our pupils and identified the following priorities during school closure:
Health, safety and well-being of our school community
Safeguard vulnerable pupils
Maintain relationships
Support learning and teaching
This is a summary of supports in place during this time:
Communication
Communication Classroom for each year group – information for all pupils.
Dingwall Academy Facebook Page –information for pupils, parents/carers, staff.
Email updates to all parents/carers
For parents/carers contacting school for any reason – please be aware that staff are working from home and could also be unwell at times. If staff do not reply to your direct contact, please use the generic inbox as this is always checked: dingwall.academy@highland.gov.uk.
School phone number 01349 869860
Daily Registration
All pupils submit daily registration on Year Group Classroom.
Office staff process and follow up as required with PT Pupil Support or Year Head.
Support in place for pupils who can’t register every day.
Procedures for “Child Missing in Education” if there is no contact for 3 days.
Absence
Parent/carer phones 01349 869860
Weekly Well-being Check-in
All pupils submit Google Form to answer:
Are you okay? Would you like to speak to someone for help, support or advice?
This is followed up by Pupil Support.
School work
Pupils work at home as best they can on tasks set by teachers in Google Classrooms. Pupils are invited into each Google Classroom by the teacher using a code.
Concerns about pupil contact or engagement with learning are passed on to the Principal Teacher then Guidance Teacher or Year Head for support.
Support for Learning
ASN Teachers and Pupil Support Assistants work with pupils via Google Hangout to help with organisation and planning and to support learning and teaching.
Concerns are passed to PT ASN and DHT as appropriate for further support.
Pastoral Support
Guidance Teachers continue to support pupils via Hangouts, phone calls & email.
Continued contact with parents/carers and other professionals as required.
Vulnerable Pupils
Pupil support staff are prioritising pupils with high levels of need or vulnerability.
Partners such as Children’s Service Workers, Social Work, Primary Mental Health Worker, Educational Psychologist, Scottish Counselling Service remain involved via phone/email/video call for advice, support and intervention as appropriate. Multi-agency group oversee.
Child Protection, welfare, well-being
“The rights of children do not alter during this pandemic, and nor do professional responsibilities in relation to child protection. The protection of children must continue to be prioritised during this period” John Swinney, 31.3.20
Child concerns must be shared:
Child Protection Lead in school is Ms McClounan jill.mcclounan@highland.gov.uk. Rector or Depute Rectors will take lead when Ms McClounan is unavailable. Concerns will also be picked up from school generic inbox dingwall.academy@highland.gov.uk
Practice Lead for Care and Protection 01349 868700
Welfare/well-being concerns referred to Mid-Area multi-agency group.
OTHER SUPPORTS
Just Ask Enquiry Line 07785 477 686
This enquiry line is for parents, carers, young people and those who work with them.
Please call if you have an enquiry or need help.
The phone line is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm – 4pm.
Staff usually available are:
Dieticians
Occupational Therapists
Physiotherapists
Speech & Language Therapists
Educational Psychologists
Primary Mental Health Workers
Autism Practitioner
Community Learning Disability Nurse.
Counselling
The Scottish Counselling Service continues.
1:1 session offered by phone or video call.
Arranged via Guidance Teacher.
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
CAMHS Tier 2 Primary Mental Health Support
Routine appointments and consultations are postponed until after lockdown. Use ‘Just Ask’ to speak to a clinician 07785 477 686 (more detailed information above)
PMHW available to Pupil Support PTs for advice for pupils.
PMHW maintaining contact with caseload.
Routine referrals and queries – phone ‘Just Ask’ 07785 477 686
CAMHS Digital Resources https://www.camhs-resources.co.uk/
Apps – there are recommended self-help apps. Check with ‘Just Ask’ or Guidance Teacher.
CAMHS Tier 3 & 4 Phoenix Centre
Duty Clinician (7 days, 0900 – 1700)
Urgent or Emergency Appointments
01463 705597
Highland Council
Highland Digital School Hub online or helpline 0300 303 1362
Enquire
Scottish advice service for additional support for learning.
Telephone helpline currently closed – enquiry form on website www.enquire.org.uk
CHIP+
Children in the Highlands Information Point
Provides information, advice and support to families with children with ASN and the professionals who
work with them. www.chipplus.org.uk 07514 120288
DEAF SERVICES
NDCS - Children and Family Support Officer for the Highlands. Can help with benefits, education, communication, technology, health and audiology matters. Telephone 01463 248323. Text 07720088109.
Social Work Deaf Services Hearing and Support Team. Can help with social work issues specifically for deaf people. Telephone 01349 868711. SMS 07887833889
Communication Support Services. Telephone 01349 865418. SMS 07765 898689
NHS Highland Audiology. Telephone 01463 704406. Text 01463 704039
OTHER EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Childline 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 027 1234
Police & Emergency Services 101 or 999
Samaritans 116 123 www.samaritans.org
Social Work – Duty Officer 01349 868700
Social Work – Emergency Service 08457 697284
Summary of School Contacts
School email dingwall.academy@highland.gov.uk
School phone 01349 869860
Rector Karen.Cormack@highland.gov.uk
Depute Rector (S1/2) Mario.DiCarlo@highland.gov.uk
Depute Rector (S3/4) douglas.macintosh@highland.gov.uk
Depute Rector (S5/6) wendy.harrison2@highland.gov.uk
Depute Rector (Pupil Support) jill.mcclounan@highland.gov.uk
Guidance Brahan molly.alexander@highland.gov.uk
Guidance Novar sharon.tullis@highland.gov.uk
Guidance Tulloch kirsty.watson@highland.gov.uk
Guidance Wyvis george.trimble@highland.gov.uk
Guidance S1 mairi.brooman@highland.gov.uk
Additional Support Needs lee.williams@highland.gov.uk