The remote curriculum: what is taught to pupils at home

We will teach the same curriculum remotely as we do in school.

Teachers are available through email, phone or zoom to offer support where required.

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: Up to 3 hours, at least 2 hours

KS1: 3 hours

KS2: 4 hours

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

Children will be able to access all work from their teacher via Seesaw. This will include links, videos, powerpoints and documents. Where possible, teachers will set work that does not require materials to be printed.

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 pupils may not have suitable online access at home. We take the following approaches to support those pupils to access remote education:

• We will offer loans of spare laptops and ipads to be used at home

• We do not have access to devices that enable an internet connection (for example, routers or dongles), but we would offer support to parents who might need assistance to source a device

How will my child be taught remotely?

We use a combination of the following approaches to teach pupils remotely:

• live teaching - each pupil will be asked to join a live Zoom lesson with their class teacher three times a day. Each day their will be a live Maths and English session, following the school's curriculum. Children in Reception and Class 2 will also have a live phonics lesson and for KS2 pupils a Foundation subject will also be taught.

• open room drop in session for anyone who needs support from the class teacher with their work after the live lesson

• teaching – teachers will record some lessons, or use pre-recorded ones from White Rose, Oak National Academy or similar

• lessons may be supported with additional resources such as powerpoints

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 expect all children to log onto the first zoom lesson which will include registration.

• We expect all lessons to be completed and follow up work submitted for each subject taught that day.

• We expect parents to support their children’s lessons where necessary and where possible. If parents are having difficulties we expect them to get in touch so that we can help and support.

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

• Teachers will see children each day in live lessons

• We require follow work to be handed in (preferably using Seesaw) for each subject, each day.

• Teachers will respond with feedback to work uploaded to Seesaw.

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 feeding back on pupil work is as follows:

• Teachers will offer written or audio recorded feedback by using Seesaw.

• Teachers may also ask children to attend the zoom room so that they can give more detailed feedback

• Teachers may also use quizzes to assess understanding

Additional support for pupils with particular needs

How will you work with me to help my child who needs 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:

• All children with an EHCP will be offered a place in school

• Work will be differentiated for children on the SEND register.

• Any child with a SEND should be able to complete the work set for them independently, or have access to a teacher to support them to complete the work via an online learning platform.

• Where a child with SEND needs to access an external professional that school commission, for example Speech and Language Therapist, Educational Psychologist, this will continue remotely via Zoom.

• Where a child with SEND needs to access an external professional from the NHS or Herefordshire Council, Ledbury Primary School will adhere to the guidelines set by Herefordshire Council..

• Mrs Driscoll and the teaching team will ensure those children on the SEND register who have not taken a place at school are contacted regularly via phone or to offer support with their learning and emotional well-being.

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 likely differ from the approach for whole groups. This is due to the challenges of teaching pupils both at home and in school.

If my child is not in school because they are self-isolating, how will their remote education differ from the approaches described above?

• Work will still be set on Seesaw that matches the lessons that are taking place in school.

• Teachers will not be available to support using zoom during the school day but could offer support at the end of the day if required.

• Where technology allows, teachers may be able to zoom with children at home so that they can join in directly with lessons.

Coronavirus-a book for children

Axel Scheffler has illustrated a digital book for primary school age children, free for anyone to read on screen or print out, about the coronavirus and the measures taken to control it. Published by Nosy Crow, and written by staff within the company, the book has had expert input: Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine acted as a consultant, and the company also had advice from two head teachers and a child psychologist.

The book answers key questions in simple language appropriate for 5 to 9 year olds:

• What is the coronavirus?
  • How do you catch the coronavirus?
  • What happens if you catch the coronavirus?
  • Why are people worried about catching the coronavirus?
  • Is there a cure for the coronavirus?
  • Why are some places we normally go to closed?
  • What can I do to help?
  • What’s going to happen next?

Coronavirus explained to kids (by a superhero)

Video designed to explain to kids what coronavirus is and how to prevent its' spread made specifically for younger viewers. Using cartoon animations a super...