Remote education

This information is intended to provide clarity and transparency to families about what to expect from us in relation to remote education - if required.

The information is organised by the key questions that families may have regarding our online learning offer.

If a sudden closure is needed, what will the first one or two days look like for us as a family?

A pupil’s first day or two of being educated remotely might look different from our standard approach, while we take all necessary actions to prepare for a longer period of remote teaching. As such, in the first day or two of a longer period of closure we will:

Expect children to read their current reading books, practise their ‘sound book’ and complete any outstanding homework which is currently allocated.
Review the ‘links to learning’ document which is sent out for each half termly topic, and complete any tasks which you are able to.

How does the substantive remote curriculum align with the ‘normal’ school curriculum?

The remote curriculum which the children will follow closely mirrors the learning that would have taken place in the classroom. For example, children will still progress through our phonics and maths scheme at the same pace as if they were in school.
The remote curriculum will also encompass the vast majority of subjects that the children experience in school. Whilst some learning experiences that would have taken place in school are simply not possible via remote learning (e.g. the more practical aspects of the Design Technology, Science, PE and Computing curricula), teachers will either move this learning to a period when children return to school, or source alternative theoretical learning to mirror the learning intention (e.g. a video of a science experiment, or online simulation).
Whilst PE cannot be taught in the same way remotely, we do expect that children take part in physical exercise and challenges as directed through our remote learning tasks.

How are days of remote learning structured? How will you teach my child and what will a day look like?

Each day, we aim to ensure that our children take part in approximately 3 hours of teaching and study time. This is achieved by…

Task 1: A class story – pre-recorded by a staff member and containing a welcome and introduction to the day
Task 2: A phonics or spelling lesson – with pre-recorded teaching and accompanying tasks
Task 3: Reading and Reinforcement: Children to read their allocated reading book and practise decoding and spelling skills via the online tasks
Task 4: A mathematics lesson - with pre-recorded teaching and accompanying tasks
Task 5: Another curriculum subject lesson – children will complete a variety of subject learning tasks across the weeks, reflecting the range of subjects taught in school
An Open Teams session – where children and families can touch base with the class teacher and fellow classmates, to discuss their learning and gain additional help, if required

In addition to this, some children and families may also receive a phone call or ‘Teams', as part of the rolling programme of individual ‘check ins’ or to support learning following a review of work from the class teacher.

Exercise books and workbooks are sent home to support the taught sessions and to facilitate appropriate recording. Photographs of this work can be uploaded to ClassDojo or Teams for feedback.

Which tools and platforms do you use in order to deliver the remote learning?

Oak Academy - a Dfe funded site which provides a wealth of learning resources.
Some subscription websites, such as Numbots and TTRS
Teams – families will follow the allocated daily link to access an open Teams meeting.
Learning videos are uploaded to the school YouTube channel – but only accessible via unlisted link.
We do not expect families to have access to any specific software or printing facilities – as all requirements are housed within our platforms.

What if we don’t have the ‘kit’ needed for online learning?

We recognise that for some families, remote education is daunting and may not have the equipment that is required. In order to help, we can:

Provide a limited number of iPads to families for free, through a home-school loan agreement.
Source 4G mobile internet for families who do not have internet in the family home.
Provide a place in school, where vulnerable children and critical workers are able to attend. Not being able to access any home learning can make a child ‘vulnerable’.

These discussions will be had with families as soon as closure is announced – if not before. During the first day of school closures, all families at home will be contacted to ensure that they are prepared and able to support the remote education plans at home.

How much do you expect children to engage in the learning and what will happen if you are concerned about levels of engagement? How will you support us as a family?

We expect all children at home to engage in the teaching and study activities set each day.
If a child does not access home learning for more than one day, a call home is made to see how school can remove any potential barriers so that remote learning can resume. This may include staff providing additional tutorials online to show families how to access specific learning tasks, or staff supporting families to plan effective remote learning routines. If these cannot be embedded or prove unsuccessful, a place may be offered in school, where vulnerable children and critical workers are able to attend. Not accessing any home learning can make a child ‘vulnerable’.
We have deliberately ensured that the teaching is pre-recorded to support families who have several children at home (who may share a device), or where adults may be home-working – so that the tasks can be completed as flexibly as possible.
The daily ‘Teams meeting’ is designed as an opportunity to support children and families each day. Staff also have time built in to the day to phone parents and respond to emails from families who have queries or concerns.

How will my child receive feedback on their learning?

The Teams and Classdojo platforms allow teachers to feedback on all individual pieces of work – through both written and verbal feedback. Teachers have allocated time to provide this feedback each day.
The rolling programme of phone calls give an opportunity for staff to praise and feedback in more depth, where required.

What will happen if my child has additional needs and requires additional support?

Each day, staff review engagement and achievement of all children in their class. If a child appears to require additional support,1:1 phone calls or a 'Teams’ meeting will be arranged.
Tasks can be differentiated at individual level via Teams and the allocations made through the online platforms.
Children who have an EHCP or support plan, who are not in school, will be afforded additional contact via the staff who typically support them in school. This will be additional to the general individual ‘check ins’ that are planned each week.
Children with visual problems will be posted reading scheme books, so they spend less time on screen than other children.

This information has been formulated in line with DFE guidance, found here.

Links to educational resources

General websites:

BBC Bitesize - a collection of resources for many subjects.

Twinkl Home Learning - daily ideas for learning. Use CVDTWINKLHELPS to gain free access.

English websites:

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds - phonics help on their YouTube channel, for more information please check our phonics page

Nessy - help with reading and spelling

Accelerated Reader - children can take quizzes at home

National Literacy Trust - help with language development

BookTrust - daily stories

Maths websites

Times tables rockstars - to practise times tables

Numbots - to practise basic maths

White Rose - resources for home learning

Mathplayground - a collection of maths games

Hit the Button - a favourite amongst Vane Road pupil

I see maths - to help with reasoning skills

Other websites:

Scratch - coding with blocks, free accounts can be created

Barefoot computing - multiple resources to help with computing skills

Code.org - coding practise

Tour of the Space station

Visit the Machu Picchu

CBeebies - for our youngest learners

Cosmic Yoga - to support the wellbeing

Please note that all the links above are for external websites and Woodham Burn has no responsibility for their content.