Remote Learning Statement
In September 2020, all our classes returned to full-time education following the Covid-19 closure as a school in March. We were open as a local Hub but this was only for key workers’ and vulnerable children. Although we hope that the majority of our children will now have an uninterrupted experience, there is the possibility that an individual child, a class bubble, or indeed the whole school, will need to self-isolate for a period of time.
When we locked down in March, Remote Learning was something for the future. The staff have worked tirelessly over the last few months to ensure that if your child is self-isolating or if the bubble bursts and the children are learning from home, that their learning continues.
We have been researching and evaluating different online learning platforms to ensure that the one we use is right for our school and most importantly, you and your children. At the moment, children and staff are familiarising themselves with these tools to enable a smooth transition for all from paper to online where possible. Online education is an aim with some implications for staff training and pupil familiarity of any system chosen, over the autumn term we will be working hard to address these barriers.
We have therefore begun to put in place a plan for remote learning so that all children can continue with their education. This meets the expectations set out in the DfE guidance ‘Remote Education Support’ (External Link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/remote-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19)
At present, any child who is sent home with COVID symptoms will be given a paper pack to take home with them; these paper packs will mirror as closely as possible the work that is taking place in school. These packs can be collected from the school offices.
In the event of a bubble of children being sent home, again paper packs will be issued, but work will also be set online via WEDUC and our school website under the Home Learning tab on the home page. Teachers will make KIT (keep in touch) calls to all children each week and our SENCOs and FLOs will contact pupils additionally as necessary.
There will be a policy for home learning which clearly sets out expectations of pupil interaction, staff responsibility and availability. Pupils will be encouraged to take photographs of their work and upload this to Twitter and WEDUC and must bring back into school any paper work completed.
If a child does not have access to a computer/laptop and/or the internet, the school will do all it can to support children. Where funding can be accessed, remote devices (e.g. laptops/iPads) and/or 4G connections will be sought, particularly for disadvantaged children. Parents will be reminded to make the school aware of any barriers to accessing remote learning and ask that all families complete our Digital Device Survey if they have not done so already. Paper copies will still be available. School has actively researched whether families have devices and WiFi through a questionnaire on our communication platform.