Academy and Aspire join forces to help students

As with all schools across the country, Ryde Academy has now been partially closed to most of its students. However, it was business as usual for nearly 50 students whose parents and carers work on the frontline, so that they are able to continue working to provide vital support and services to the community.

As well as providing lessons and activities for students of key workers they have organised online resources and guides for students at home to access. They have also provided information for parents who are understandably anxious about their children learning from home.
In addition to learning resources they have been working hard to help those students who are eligible for free school meals. Lunches are available for collection to students on free school meals from Aspire’s High Street hub between 12pm and 2pm every day. For students who are unable to collect, staff have volunteered to drop them outside their house.

The Academy is in the process of looking at plans for an Easter Holiday Club for a limited number of students so that again key workers can continue working and will remain open at weekends for those families where childcare is vital.

Many students will be feeling the impact of the school closure. Some will be more seriously in crisis and needing our help to ensure that they are supported while they are out of school.

A JustGiving page has been set up to raise money to help Ryde Academy students and their families in crisis during lockdown. To donate please visit this link https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ryde-academy-82?utm_term=KaaY5b2GE

Joy Ballard, Academy Principal, said: “We are naturally devastated that it has come to this but of course understand that these measures are essential to help prevent the spread of the virus. These are very difficult and strange times but we are determined to do everything we can to support all our students, parents, staff and the wider community who help to support our students and their families.

“We recognise the importance of our role in this and are grateful to our partners at Aspire Ryde for allowing us to use their community hub as a collection point for packed lunches.”