2nd November 2020
Following the Government’s recent Announcement that England will be entering into a month-long lockdown beginning Thursday 5th November 2020, we wanted to reassure you that Ad Astra will remain open throughout. Educational settings can stay open as normal, and so we will continue to offer the same provision and support as we are currently.
Naturally, we will continue to adhere to all guidance; both current and future changes, and remain vigilant in our practices to ensure that we protect our students, staff and wider Ad Astra family community.
Where a student lives with someone who is Clinically Vulnerable or Clinically Extremely Vulnerable, they may wish for that student to isolate at home. Where this is the case, we ask parents and carers to inform us, using the details below, prior to the 5th November 2020.
Ad Astra will continue to work hard to provide support to our students, families and our staff during this difficult time. For any students who are isolating, whether by choice due to a member of the household in the Vulnerable category, or by instruction from Ad Astra or School following development of symptoms or contact with a confirmed positive result, we will be offering an online learning platform for Maths and English supported by our teachers. We will also look to introduce online lessons to boost the online support where needed.
Additionally we are more than happy to answer any concerns or queries that you may have during this difficult time, and discuss any further support that Ad Astra can provide.
Mental Health and Wellbeing for our Students
We understand that we are in unprecedented times and it can be very difficult, upsetting and frightening for children and young people.
Ad Astra are committed to ensuring our students and families mental health is minimally affected in the process of the UK’s second lockdown and it is paramount mental health is taken into consideration during this difficult time. It is important to remember that we are all in this together, everyone will have their own worries and anxieties.
Ad Astra will be operating throughout the second lockdown, especially for those struggling and we will be holding weekly phone calls with students and families to ensure we are assisting with any issues that may be affecting you.
Due to the second national lockdown that England are now facing, Ad Astra are committed to supporting our students and families. We are offering weekly telephone or online wellbeing meetings with our safeguarding and mental health First aid team. We can support you in your concerns and anxieties as well as providing you with the specific details of care you may be able to access during this time.
We are not qualified therapists or registered health service, however, we can point you in the right direction of the people you and your family may be able to access help from.
Please remember, if you are worried about a family members mental health, or indeed your own, you are not alone. In an emergency please call 999 and ask for a crisis team.
In addition to the above, there are many different services you can access for free, 24 hours a day such as
Samaritans: 116 123
Calm: CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Front door -York: 01904 551900 Doncaster 01302 737777 (8:30am - 5pm Monday to Friday) Outside of these hours telephone 01302 796000
MIND:
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
Website: www.mind.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Website: www.rethink.org
To support the steps and measures we are taking to ensure the continued safety and welfare of our students, staff and wider community, we ask that you please follow any advice or instructions, and let us know if you have any concerns at the earliest opportunity. Thank you for your cooperation during this challenging time.
The Ad Astra Team
Contact Information
Julia Crane – Head of Provision
07873225426
Lyz Shaw – Designated Safeguarding Lead and Mental Health First Aider
07935224868
Laura Harben – Operations Manager
07511154770
