A HEREFORDSHIRE school is launching lessons and free academic assessments to children whose SATS have been cancelled by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Elms School in Colwall is offering the assessments, conducted by an experienced team to help identify areas where extra learning support may be needed, to all children, regardless of their connection to the school.

The school is also is providing a separate support package for children up to Key Stage Two.

Headmaster Chris Hattam said the school is keen to offer this service to families in the county who may be concerned about the virtual learning experience their children are currently receiving.

Parents will be able to buy into a series of live online lessons in core subjects of Maths, English until the end of the lockdown period, while a number of spaces sponsored through the school are available on application.

The Elms already provides a freely available story telling read twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays at 11.00am) via Zoom, which any parent can register their child for.

Mr Hattam said: “We enjoyed a very successful period of online learning in the first lockdown where our pupils thrived, and we would like to repeat and extend the experience through this lockdown as well.”

Chair of governors Simon Townsend said, “In 2020 we heard many stories about children who did not receive the same opportunities as our own pupils who are continuing to receive an outstanding education from our dedicated teaching staff. There is strong sense of community at The Elms with teachers and pupils past and present and, without disrupting our normal school day, we think it is right to support the community by offering this service.”

For further information about this package which will be available from the 15th January, please contact the school office (office@elmsschool.co.uk) and visit the website https://www.elmsschool.co.uk/academic/free-academic-assessments/