See here for the latest news and updates

• Free School Meals - National Department for Education Scheme - Information for Parents

  Fri 03 Apr 2020 Julie Fardell

  National Free School Voucher Scheme

   

  The National Free School Meal Voucher Scheme is now in the process of being set up, once we have collated parent emails for those pupils who are eligible by benefit-related free school meals, parents will start to receive weekly E-Codes which will be sent to their chosen email address they provided to school.

  When you receive your 16 digit E-Code, you will need to access www.freeschoolmeals.co.uk to choose your preferred supermarket E-Gift card which will be worth £15.00. You will not be able to use the E-Code directly with retailers, it must be exchanged for an E-Gift card.

  Parent & Carer FAQ’s

  How do I use my E-code to select a supermarket E-Gift Card?

  1. Copy the code from your email
  2. Go to www.freeschoolmeals.co.uk
  3. Enter the 16 digit E-Code (you can enter more than one if you have more than one to redeem)
  4. Select your preferred supermarket
  5. Enter the amount and add to basket
  6. Checkout and enter the email address you would like the E-Gift card sent to
  7. Your E-Gift card will be processed and sent (please allow up to 3 hours for it to be delivered to your inbox)

  What Supermarkets can I pick from?

  • Morrisons
  • Tesco
  • Sainsbury’s
  • Asda
  • Waitrose (John Lewis)
  • M&S Food

  How do I know what the value of the E-Code is?

  The value will be stated in the email sent to you by school. This has been set at £15.00 per week for one child. If you have two children attending school you may receive one E-Code at £30.00 or two E-Codes at £15.00

  Do I have to use the full value of the E-Code when choosing my E-Gift card?

  Yes, your balance will be visible on the webpage

  Can I choose to redeem my E-Code at more than one supermarket?

  1. Yes you can mix and match different supermarket retailers within the same order provided that the total you have chosen for each is equal to the value of the E-Code you have entered. For example, a £15.00 E-Code, you could choose £10.00 Tesco and £5.00 Sainsbury’s
  2. Simply enter the value you would like to order on each supermarket E-Gift card and your balance will update automatically

  How long do I have to redeem the E-Code? And what happens if my E-Code has expired?

  1. Your E-Code will expire after 1 month
  2. If your E-Code has expired, it will be cancelled and the money associated is then returned to the Department of Education

  What can I purchase in-store with the E-Gift Card?

  The E-Gift card is issued to you in respect of the Free School Meal benefit and will only be accepted for the purchase of food and groceries

  How do I use a supermarket E-Gift card?

  1. A supermarket E-Gift card is a digital voucher. It contains a link to a barcode which can be presented at the till in-store on a smartphone screen or printed piece of paper
  2. Some E-Gift cards can be used to purchase online groceries please see the table below:

   

  My School has ordered an E-Code for me, but is hasn’t come through to my email?

  1. Check your Junk / Spam / Clutter mail
  2. If this still hasn’t arrived within 3 hours, please contact us via enquiries@victoria.bham.sch.uk
  3.  We can cancel the previously sent E-Code and resend to your correct email address

  I have ordered an E-Gift Card and it hasn’t come through to my Email?

  1. Check your Junk / Spam / Clutter mail
  2. You will receive two emails – one will be a confirmation order and the second email will be the E-Code. If your order confirmation email has arrived, then your E-Card is in a queue and is on its way.
  3. If you have received neither emails, it is possible that you have entered your email address incorrectly at checkout. If you think this maybe the case, please contact freeschoolmealsparentscarers@edenred.com

  I am not able to get to the supermarket?

  You can forward the supermarket E-Gift card to someone else to purchase goods on your behalf if you are unable to get to the supermarket. The E-Gift card email contains a link to a barcode which can be presented at the till in-store.

• Free School Meal Vouchers and Easter Planning

  Thu 02 Apr 2020 Julie Fardell

  Dear parents and carers,

  The Senior Leadership team has today been working hard to set up the new scheme for FSM vouchers for eligible families. We seem to have had success at last in securing the e-vouchers and will get the posted vouchers out as soon as possible.

  Thank you to all families for your endeavours to keep your children safe at home, especially given that many of them come into the category of being especially clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 because of their underlying health conditions. For all people in this category, the advice is to self-isolate for 4 months.

   

  You have all told us that you are able to keep your children safe at home throughout the Easter break. There continue to be lots of great activity and learning ideas on the school website, if you are looking for educational activities to keep your youngsters busy during the Easter holiday. Many museums, zoos and other organisations have also posted educational information and activities too, so do make use of them. Also remember that you have access to Twinkl and Education City.

   

  We will review the situation on school opening after Easter, based on the needs of vulnerable children who might be safer at school than at home, and the children of workers classified as essential to the Coronavirus response , who are unable to make other arrangements for care.

   

  This is a strange new Coronavirus-dominated world and it is our collective responsibility to reduce the spread of infection through staying at home, not engaging in non-essential travel, respecting social distancing, self-isolating as recommended and shielding the vulnerable from exposure to the virus. AND we must all continue to wash our hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds with soap and hot water.

   

  Many people find this a very anxious time. We understand that you may be under real pressure with the children at home whilst trying to do your jobs, perhaps remotely, and potentially caring for  and shielding other vulnerable relatives or neighbours. Unfortunately, some of you will be poorly yourselves, and this makes it a stressful time. Do please take time to rest, relax, eat well, exercise moderately and engage in fun activities. Keep your social connections alive by phone and internet and seek help if you need it. You can still contact the school if you need to and we will be in touch  with you to determine need after Easter. This will certainly be a very different easter holiday, but you can still think about Easter Egg hunts at home, making Easter decorations, baking hot cross buns or having a picnic in the garden. I hope you all find ways to make it enjoyable.

• Mental health support offer launched for Birmingham and Solihull children, young people, adults and key workers

  Thu 02 Apr 2020 NHS

  Dear colleagues

   

  As you will be aware, the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic will be having a range of impacts on local people’s mental health and wellbeing.

   

  We are responding to this by setting out a support offer for our local population.

   

  There is dedicated support available for:

  ·         0-18 year olds in Birmingham

  ·         0-19 year olds in Solihull

  ·         18+ years old in Birmingham and Solihull

  ·         Key workers in Birmingham and Solihull

   

  Support for each of the groups will be available first and foremost through a dedicated telephone line. Full information about how to access the support, including opening hours etc., is available here: www.birminghamandsolihullccg.nhs.uk/your-health/mental-health-support-offer

   

  If you have any questions about this, please contact NHS Birmingham and Solihull CCG at: nhsbsolccg.jointcommissioningteam@nhs.net

   

  Please share this information with your contacts and networks, as appropriate.

   

  Many thanks for your co-operation, at this challenging time.  

   

  NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group

• More Home Learning

  Mon 30 Mar 2020 Andrew
  Some more examples of the wonderful work our learners are doing while school is closed. This student in 14-19 has been writing a page a day about something they've watched, read or the day before and working on money using different denominations
  of coins to make the same amount of money. Well done!

  

• Sing and Sign with Judi!

  Mon 30 Mar 2020 Victoria School

  The first sing and sign video with Judi is now available. A new one will be uploaded each day.

   

  Click HERE to view on the home learning section of our website.

   

  Or visit our YOUTUBE channel.

• Update - 26th March

  Thu 26 Mar 2020 SLT & Governors

  As you will know Victoria School is closing today. We know that the current situation is having a big impact on our families and staff. The situation is also changing all the time and there are many questions we simply do not know the answers to - including when we will open again and when and how Free School Meal vouchers will be distributed.

   

  We will keep everyone updated as much as we can through texts, website updates, messages through the app and twitter.

   

  As soon as we know of any changes to the current situation we will let you know through these means. Equally, if any of our family's situation changes in any way it is important you let someone at school know and we will work with you as best we can to support. Families will be receiving regular phone calls from teachers or the school phone messaging service will still be monitored.

   

  Every single member of the Victoria family has been amazing so far and will continue to be. We are here for you if you need us.

   

  Please take care and stay safe.

• Thank you letter to school staff

  Thu 26 Mar 2020 Education Secretary
  

• Victoria School Full Closure Notification

  Wed 25 Mar 2020 SLT

  Victoria School has remained open to a small number of vulnerable pupils and children of critical workers. The number of pupils requiring care have dwindled every day. We have now been informed that the on-site health provision will be reduced to one and redeployed in all probability. Due to the medical and enteral feeding needs of the pupils we feel it would no longer be safe to remain open. Regretfully we have made the decision to close from Friday 27 March 2020. 

   

• Educational psychologist telephone helpline for parents and carers

  Wed 25 Mar 2020 BCC
  Do you as a parent or carer at home with your children during the school shut down, feel that you need someone to talk to about how you can cope with this challenging time for families?
  Birmingham Educational Psychology Service is providing a telephone helpline for any parent or car-ers of children, who feel they would benefit from a consultation with a psychologist to support them with any concerns arising at this time, for them or their families.
  Areas of concern you may wish to discuss could include:
  - Anxiety around the current situation and its impact on your children and family.
  - Supporting you to support your children’s emotional needs.
  - Concerns about family relationships.
  - Concerns about friendships, learning, daily structure and activities.
  - How to best look after yourself so you can support your children.
  The concerns can be related to school or family life.
  You will be offered an initial telephone consultation of 30 minutes with a psychologist and a poten-tial follow up session of another 30-minute consultation at a later date. These will be Monday-Friday, within standard working hours.
  If you would like to access this service please email: Stephanie.Bowen@birmingham.gov.uk with the following information:
  - Your name
  - The telephone number you would like to be contacted on.
  - The name of your child’s school.
  - Times and dates you are not available for a consultation.
  - Whether an interpreter is required for you to access this service.
  We will aim to get back to you within 2 working days to confirm a time and date for your consulta-tion.

• Noah's Newspaper Article

  Wed 25 Mar 2020 Noah in 14-19
  Some more positive news Noah would like to share with everyone!