Thamesmead School

ICT supporting Learning and Communication

At Thamesmead we believe it is important to use modern technology to enhance student learning and aid communication. As your child joins Thamesmead we want to ensure that both you and your child are able to access and use the technologies which will facilitate this:

For Parents: Website, Schoolcomms and Parent Portal

For Students: SAM Learning and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

We would like to reassure you that you and your child will not be disadvantaged if you do not have access to a computer and the internet; you will be sent paper communication and your child will have preferential access to school computers during break, lunchtime and after school. If this is the case please ensure that the school is aware of this situation.

Website

The school website is a wealth of information and news plus facilitating log on to the parent portal and student virtual learning environment. The Year 6 transition information can be found under the ‘school’ menu. There is also information for Y7 under the Year group and Curriculum menus. Do browse the website at http://www.thamesmead.surrey.sch.uk/

Schoolcomms

Schoolcomms enables us to keep you well informed of what is going on in school and in touch with activities affecting your child. Letters tend to get lost or hidden at the bottom of a school bag and are expensive to post. We use Schoolcomms to contact you by email or text message ensuring that you receive important information. Provided you have carefully recorded an e-mail address and mobile telephone number on the Admission Form you will automatically receive communications via the Schoolcomms number from September i.e. 07797885996 - please save this number to your telephone as Schoolcomms Thamesmead.

Parent Portal

All parents have access to the Parent Portal. This facility is accessed via our website using a secure login and password which is the same as for siblings already in the school but will be issued at the start of term to new parents. The portal facilitates access to your child’s contact details, attendance, behaviour log and subject targets and progress data. We are aim to further develop the portal as an information centre throughout the coming year. Look out for more information about the Parent Portal in September.

SAM Learning

SAM Learning allows students to access revision activities, practise tests and some homework tasks via a web-based service. All students are registered for SAM Learning in September. You will receive information about how your child can use this service at the start of the Autumn Term.

Virtual Learning Environment - VLE

The school VLE allows students remote access, via the internet, to information that will assist their learning, organisation and revision. Homework will be set for Year 7 via the portal. It is a valuable resource which your child will be taught how to access and use on the Induction days/start of year 7. He/she will be given a login number and a secure password which will enable access to the VLE from the school website. Please notify the school if your child is unable to access the VLE once he/she has been given access.

ICT Acceptable Use Policy

As part of our safe-guarding procedures all students are expected to comply with the schools ICT Acceptable Use Policy as follows:

Passwords are to be kept private and not shared with anyone.

Bad, inappropriate or threatening language will not be tolerated

The rules for logging in and out of the VLE will be strictly adhered to – see student guide on the school website.

Users must comply with the acceptable use policy printed in the student Day books and are asked to sign this at the start of each year – copy attached for your reference.

We ask that as parents you will endeavour to re-enforce this policy at home. Any violation of the policy could result in your child’s access to school ICT systems being revoked.