REMOTE LEARNING OFFER

This information is intended to provide clarity and transparency to pupils, parents or carers about what to expect from remote education if local restrictions require the whole school (or bubbles) to remain at home. For details of what to expect where individual pupils are self-isolating, please see the final section of this page.

Remote Teaching and Study Time How long can I expect work set by the school to take my child each day?

We expect that remote education (including remote teaching and independent work) will take pupils broadly the following number of hours each day:

• EYFS:              2-3 hours a day on average
• Key Stage 1:    4 hours a day on average
• Key Stage 2:    5 hours a day on average

The remote curriculum: What is taught to pupils at home?

During partial school closure and the isolation of class ‘bubbles’, pupils are taught by their teacher following the curriculum as they would in class. All aspects of the National Curriculum are followed in line with the schools curriculum intent statement. This can be found under the ‘curriculum overview’ section of the school website. 

Accessing Remote Education

How will my child access any online remote education you are providing?

Children in Reception to Year 6 access lessons via the Google Classroom platform. Children below statutory school age can access learning through the SEESAW digital platform. Guidance on how to access Google Classroom and SEESAW can be found in the ‘remote learning’ section of the school website. The home working email (homeworkinghelp@alptrust.co.uk) is designed to allow any technical queries to be dealt with swiftly and increase confidence in using the platforms.  Parents can receive support for a range of queries in this way, including technical assistance and  academic support. 

If my child does not have digital or online access at home, how will you support them to access remote education? 

We recognise that some children may not have suitable online access at home. In this instance school can distribute school-owned laptops accompanied by a user agreement. WiFi hotspot details and access codes are also available to those families who don't have appropriate access to the internet at home. Affected children can be supported to come into school to use school resources within any rules in force at the time. 

How will my child be taught remotely? 

Each day your child's class teacher will share a series of high quality recorded lessons taught by expert subject teachers and Thrive practitioners. Lessons have been  carefully designed to closely align to the classroom curriculum and have been sequenced to ensure that children obtain the building blocks they need to move onto the next steps in learning. 

Engagement and Feedback

What are your expectations for my child’s engagement and the support that we as parents and carers should provide at home? 

We appreciate how challenging it can be to keep on top of your child’s remote education. We don’t expect you to act in the role of teacher – there is strong evidence that the most powerful thing a parent/ carer can do for their child is show an active interest in their schoolwork. We therefore ask you to:

• Agree a structured daily schedule with your child.
• Ask your child to show you how they access online lessons.
• Look at the work your child has completed each day, including additional homework.
• Praise your child for continuing their education remotely.

How will you check whether my child is engaging with their work and how will I be informed if there are concerns? 

Whether pupils are studying at home or at school, our expectations for attendance and completion of work are the same.

We will continue to follow our behaviour support and attendance policy and will inform you if we have concerns about your child. We will also seek opportunities to praise and reward your child in line with the school's core values. 

How will you assess my child’s work and progress? 

Feedback can take many forms and may not always mean extensive written comments for individual children. For example, whole-class feedback or quizzes marked automatically via digital platforms are also valid and effective methods, amongst many others. Our approach to feedback on pupil work includes:

• Detailed written feedback on one identified piece of Literacy and Numeracy work each week.
• Individual written or verbal feedback where key misconceptions are identified in learning or where engagement may need to be encouraged. 
• Class feedback in foundation subject areas which will focus on the positives and address any misconceptions. 
• Feedback which identifies how pupils have met the weekly core value will be given every Friday during the ‘celebration assembly.’

Additional Support for Pupils with Particular Needs

How will you work with me to help my child if they need additional support from adults at home to access remote education?

We recognise that some pupils, for example some pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), may not be able to access remote education without support from adults at home. We acknowledge the difficulties this may place on families, and we will work with parents and carers to support those pupils in the following ways:

• Pupils with Education, health and care plans (EHCPs) will be contacted by the SENDCo who will work with you to agree an individual support plan for your child and update relevant risk assessments.
• The SENDCo will continue to liaise with external agencies and seek additional advice and support where required.
• Where necessary, reasonable adjustments will be made to remote education in order to support pupils with additional needs. This may include individual pupil support in the form of phone calls home by teachers, support staff or a member of the Thrive team. 

All pupils with an individual Thrive plan, will have a home plan sent home along with additional supporting resources. The Thrive team will maintain regular telephone contact with all pupils on Thrive plans. The team will check on the well-being of the family and progress with plans. Any changes/updates will be made as necessary.  Whole classes will be able to access thrive activities weekly through Google Classroom/SEESAW. Class activities will be tailored to developmental needs within that class and parents will be given supporting guidance.

If you would like to discuss this further please contact the school SENCO: Mr. A Carrick. Further information is also available under the SEND tab of the website. 

Remote education for self-isolating pupils

Where individual pupils need to self-isolate but the majority of their peer group remains in school, how remote education is provided will differ from the approach for whole groups. This is due to the challenges of teaching pupils both at home and in school.

If your child is required to self isolate, work will be sent home via Google Classroom or Seesaw on the day after we have received notification of the isolation period. Our designated support team can be accessed via the home working help email to provide assistance where necessary.