I hope this update finds you well and refreshed after the half term break. It has been great to welcome the students back this week, and see how engaged they are in their learning and how much they enjoy their time in school.
As read on, you will see that we are soon launching Evidence for Learning’s (EfL) family app – we use EfL in school to track the progress of students – academic progress, and progress towards EHCP targets. I am really excited that we are going to be able to share more of what your young person gets up to in school and that parents/carers are able to add their own evidence of their child’s progress too. Derbyshire Police have also shared an important message regarding E-Scooters – please note that E-Scooters are not permitted on the school site.
We have a lot to look forward to this half term, with activities planned including our student-led Christmas Market. Dates for your diaries are also included with term dates.
Shaw Education Trust – Parental Survey
The latest parental survey from the Shaw Education Trust has opened - https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/specialschoolparentalsurveyterm12022 Please share your views with us as we strive to provide the best educational experiences and opportunities for your child/young person. Entrants are able to enter a prize draw by completing the survey.
Evidence For Learning Parent App
We're delighted to announce the arrival of the new EfL Family App! The new app will allow you to engage with your child's learning in new and powerful ways through a brand-new Android and iOS app. You will get the chance to see photo and video evidence of your child's learning across the curriculum as well as upload your own photo and video evidence which shows progress towards targets on their EHCP.
In preparation you can download the app, just search 'Evidence for Learning Family' on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
We will send more information about this soon, and will be holding in school sessions for Parents and Carers so that you’re able to get the most out of the App.
PTA – Asda Green Tokens
A reminder to all Parents and Carers to keep voting for the St Martins PTA project in the Asda Green Token Giving ONLINE vote through our local Asda Derby. The project is developing a sensory and outdoor learning area for our students who struggle to cope with the everyday pressures of schooling.
The vote is live now YOU WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE ONCE EVERY 7 DAYS, so please keep going back to the link each week to cast a vote in order for the project to get the highest number of votes. (you can vote even more times per week if you have more than 1 email address!) The vote closes on New Year’s Eve so we have a few more chances to bump up our vote – at the moment we are in 2nd place with 36% of the vote. We would like all our parents, carers and their friends and families to vote for our project so that we can be awarded the top amount of £500!
Please vote for the project by visiting https://www.asda.com/green-tokens/store?store=4607
Please note, if voting from a mobile phone, make sure you click the VOTE button UNDER the listing for St Martins PTA, NOT the one above it as that is for a different project!
E-Scooters – Message from Derbyshire Police
There has been a rise in privately owned E-Scooters, these remain illegal to use anywhere except for privately owned land with the land owners consent. As you will more than likely have seen this is not always being complied with and the sight of them on parks/pavements and even roads is becoming a regular thing. Often when stopped by Police, we can find the rider ranging from 14 years old up to adulthood, so by sending this message out to you as parents we hope to A) make you aware of the consequences of riding one in a public place and or B) Deter the purchase of one for your child.
Given how powered transporters are motorised and designed, they fall within the legal definition of a “motor vehicle”. Therefore the laws that apply to motor vehicles apply to powered transporters. It is illegal to use a powered transporter:
- on a public road without complying with a number of legal requirements, which potential users will find very difficult
- in spaces that are set aside for use by pedestrians, cyclists, and horse-riders; this includes on the pavement and in cycle lanes
Any person who uses a powered transporter on a public road or other prohibited space in breach of the law is committing a criminal offence and can be prosecuted which we want to avoid happening as well as avoid any accidents occurring from using them. More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/powered-transporters/information-sheet-guidance-on-powered-transporters
If you would like to speak to a member of your local safer neighbourhood team please call 101 or request to via www.derbyshire.police.uk
Here’s to a great half term ahead.
Best wishes,
Sabrina Hobbs
Principal