Waterside Academy

Please click the link below to access a free information book explaining the coronavirus to children, illustrated by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Schefflerer text...

https://nosycrow.com/blog/released-today-free-information-book-explaining-coronavirus-children-illustrated-gruffalo-illustrator-axel-Scheffler/

Dear Parents/Carers

The Government, yesterday released a list of resources that can be used to support your children as they continue to learn at home specifically for wellbeing and mental health.

We are aware that some of you wish to access this support as you find ways to explain the current situation we are all living in to your children.

Please see the information below taken from the DfE website to support the mental well-being of children at this time.

Mental wellbeing
This initial list of mental wellbeing resources is based on the recommendations of trusted partners.
It is designed to provide guidance on how to support the wellbeing of children and young people being educated remotely.
Many organisations already working with schools will be able to provide remote support, and schools are encouraged to discuss what ongoing support might be available during this time.

Mental wellbeing: primary
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
Website: https://www.annafreud.org/what-we-do/anna-freud-learning-network/coronavirus/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: wellbeing advice for all those supporting children and young people.
Registration: not required

BPS
Website: https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-blogs
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: advice on dealing with school closures and talking to children about COVID-19.
Registration: not required

Children’s Commissioner
Website: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/childrens-guide-to-coronavirus/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: a downloadable guide for children about coronavirus.
Registration: not required

MindEd
Website: https://www.minded.org.uk/
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: an educational resource for all adults on children and young people’s mental health.
Registration: is required

The Child Bereavement Network
Website: http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/covid-19.aspx
Key stages: early years foundation stage to key stage 2
Description: advice on supporting grieving children during the coronavirus outbreak.
Registration: not required

We hope you find the above information useful.

Kind regards,

Anna Geaves
Foundation Stage Leader and SLT

Waterside Academy

A warm welcome to Waterside Academy

Children get just one chance with their education and, at Waterside Academy, we want this to be the very best!

Dear Visitor,

Welcome to our wonderful school.

Waterside Academy is a small primary academy with a big welcome and an even bigger heart.

We are very proud to be a part of the Agora Learning Partnership, which includes a growing number of schools across Hertfordshire.

Each school within the Trust has its own values, ethos and culture but all work together to share best practice and enhance provision for all learners.

My aim as the Headteacher here at Waterside (and indeed the aim of all my brilliant staff members) is to ensure that the children who attend our school are kept safe and can learn happily, succeeding both academically and socially. We intend for our pupils to enjoy a really engaging and very broad curriculum that is laced with both knowledge and skills - all within our local Welwyn Garden City context. 

I understand that choosing the right school for your child is a big decision and I hope this website gives you an insight into what we can offer.

Although we place a great emphasis on continuously improving standards within maths and literacy, we also aim to develop all children's wider knowledge and skills through our evolving and broad curriculum. We encourage children to develop a love of all subjects and know that having a broad curriculum will help prepare our pupils for the next step in their journey. 

The children at our school are enthusiastic learners and we do our very best to make activities engaging, challenging and fun!

The early years of a child’s education are vitally important and we have an excellent Nursery which runs in the mornings.  

Working parents may also choose to make use of the breakfast club, run by school staff, which opens daily from 7:45am.

We pride ourselves on the sense of community the school offers children.

Relevant for those who already attend our wonderful school, but also for those looking to join, we have a very comprehensive staff 'safeguarding' team, who ensure the children are kept safe here within their educational setting but also beyond the school gates. I myself act as the lead safeguarding officer or 'designated senior lead' (DSL) and I am very ably supported by three other members of staff who deputise in my absence and meet with me to discuss child protection and safety regularly. The three deputy safeguarding officers are as follows; Mr S Sal, Mrs A Geaves and Mrs G Powell.

Should you have any concerns or questions regarding safeguarding, please do come and speak with us without delay.

Alternatively, feel free to e-mail me directly via head@waterside.herts.sch.uk - this is particularly useful during the school holidays or when the school is closed. 

Should you wish to come and see the school for yourself, please call the office and arrange a visit.

We look forward to getting to know you a little more...

Mr T Mills-Bishop
Headteacher

Waterside Academy is committed to safeguarding children.

Should you have any concerns regarding a child's safety, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Leader (DSL) or a Deputy DSL who can all be contacted via the office.

DSL - Mr T Mills-Bishop (Head Teacher)

Deputy DSLs - Miss Wilson, Mrs Geaves, Mrs Powell, Mr S Sal

Should you have any concerns or questions regarding safeguarding, please do come and speak with us without delay. Alternatively, feel free to e-mail me directly via head@waterside.herts.sch.uk - this is particularly useful during the school holidays and on other occasions when the school is closed. 

Our House System - A values orientated education

Last year we asked the children to give our 'teams' new 'House Names'!

The red, blue, yellow and green 'houses' still keep their iconic colours but also have a noble and fitting name to be proud of.

We asked the children to put their ideas into a box, placed in the school hall. Then we narrowed the children's ideas down to just three choices. Then our newly formed school council, as well as our House captains and House vice captains, picked just one option from the three below...

The three choices were as follows:

• Types of tree (E.g. Rowan House, Oak House, Sycamore House etc)
• Bodies of water (E.g. Lea House, Stanborough House, Thames House etc)
• People who changed the world (E.g. Gandhi House, Pankhurst House, Grey-Thompson House etc) 

After careful consideration... The four ‘Houses’ will now be known as:

• Rowan House (blue) - A nod to the old school name
• Cherry House (red) - Welwyn Garden City is famous for cherry trees
• Oak House (green) - There is an historic oak tree in Hatfield House grounds
• Sycamore House (yellow) - We have a beautiful sycamore in our grounds

P.S: Follow us on twitter... Follow us on @WatersideAcade1