Coronavirus: Chichester Free School shares home learning tips

Chichester Free School parents and pupils have been sharing messages with each other about their new daily routines and how they are getting on after their first week of coping with a completely new way of life and learning.

‘A Huge Cultural Shift’

Louise New, the School’s Principal, said: “I can only begin to imagine what parents are all having to juggle at home, balancing work with remote learning and everything in between. I take my hat off to all parents supporting their children at home.

"It is very easy to become overwhelmed by all the resources that are coming their way, directly from us and from the global community and they can't be expected to do everything. We are trying to get the balance right in the work we set, but this is new territory for us too.

"Parents shouldn’t worry if they don't feel they are ticking every box – their mental and physical well-being is just as important as their children's. This is a huge cultural shift for us all, and it is going to take time for us all to get used to these online communities and keeping up with the world around us, whilst trying to focus on those in our immediate circles at the same time.”

Louise also reminds all parents, pupils and teachers: "This is a marathon, not a sprint and nothing sums this up better than the classic Aesop's fable of the Hare and the Tortoise – 'slow and steady wins the race'.

Looking After Your Mental Health

Aly Ede, who has two children at the school and is also pastoral manager there, shared her thoughts: “I’m trying to look after my mental health by limiting my time watching the news and stories on social media, and just being grateful for the simple things which are proving most important – good health, my family and the amazing community spirit.”

Her little girl, eight-year-old Kitty, has been waking up at 6am excited to login to her online tasks – “but we’ll see how long that lasts!” Aly added.

Ten-year-old Devon has set up a penpal club with 20 people in it already. She said: "I am loving that each day my school is giving me great homework. I look forward to seeing my house points and comments from my teacher first thing in the morning.”