This information is intended to provide clarity and transparency to pupils and parents about what to expect from remote education where restrictions require pupils to remain at home.
Will my child be taught the same curriculum as they would if they were in school?
Yes! The work for all lessons is recorded on School Synergy. This means that pupils who are having to work from home will have immediate access to the lessons being taught in school. This will include pupil access to resources and tasks and where appropriate pupils will be invited by the teacher to join a live lesson via Microsoft Teams.
What should my child expect from remote education?
The expectations for remote learning replicate those for live face-to-face teaching. Pupils who are working from home must follow their timetable as if they were present in school. All pupils and students have been issued with clear guidance:
- Log-on to Synergy at 8.45am and check the Student Bulletin and watch/think/pray using the form time worship resources.
- At 9.10am, click onto the Classwork tab where the work from all lessons will be displayed. Begin with Period 1 if there is a live lesson the link to Teams will be on Synergy. If not follow the instructions carefully. Access the work and complete it to the best of your ability. DO NOT RUSH! Contact your teacher via the dialogue box if there is a problem.
- Repeat for Period 2 and then have a twenty minute break at 11.10am.
- Complete the work for Periods 3 and 4 and then stop for lunch.
- Finish the day at 3.15pm having completed your fifth period.
- When you would have PE take the opportunity to do some exercise. Joe Wicks workouts are popular but alternatives are available.
If you find yourself having completed work there are still things to do:
- Make sure that all work is well presented, accurate and completed in full
- Search ‘Oak Academy’ and look at their online lessons. Some of them are first rate!
- Do the same for BBC Bitesize
- Find a book and read!
We have a responsibility to provide work and support but you too have a responsibility to work conscientiously and to the best of your ability.
How will you check whether my child is engaging with their work and how will I be informed if there are concerns?
Pupils’ attendance will be recorded for all lessons. Class teachers will notify heads of year of absences and heads of year will in-turn notify you of any concerns. School Synergy allows you to monitor attendance throughout the school day.
Levels of pupil engagement will be monitored through the use teacher led question and answers, typed dialogue boxes or verbal contributions made during the live lesson. You too will be able to monitor levels of work completion by routinely asking your child to show you their work and discuss their level of understanding.
How will you assess my child’s work and progress?
We are confident that pupils who are working at home will be able to make good rates of progress. On most occasions completed tasks will be submitted electronically, allowing teachers to mark and return work in much the same way as normal. Accessing work via a digital platform will also allow teachers to use other methods of assessment including online quizzes, ‘break-out’ rooms and noticeboards.
What if my child does not have digital access?
We recognise that some pupils may not have suitable online access at home. If this is the case please let us know as a matter of urgency. We can help with this situation in a number of ways including the loaning of computers, routers and dongles.
Please contact Mr O’Doherty (Assistant Headteacher) if you are facing difficulties of this sort by this email.
How will you work with me to help my child who needs additional support from adults at home to access remote education?
We recognise the challenges that remote education may place on families with children who have special educational needs. The parents of pupils with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) will be contacted directly by a nominated teaching assistant. They will be the day-to-day point of reference and will have the responsibility of supporting access to remote learning, including virtual attendance at live lessons wherever possible.
Other pupils identified as having a special needs or disability will be managed and taught by the classroom teacher.
Please contact Mrs Collier (Senior Assistant Headteacher) if you would like to communicate with the school SENCO by this email.