Please find information here about our Remote Learning Policy and offer at Hillside First School.

Pupils required to isolate

Where a class, group or a small number of pupils need to self-isolate, or local restrictions require pupils to remain at home, we are committed to provide remote education by the next school day. Where pupils are not physically unwell with coronavirus (COVID-19) but who are at home as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) they should engage fully in remote learning. 

Aims of remote teaching:

• Teachers set assignments so that pupils have meaningful and ambitious work each day in the full range of subjects in their normal curriculum.

• Teachers provide frequent, clear explanations of new content, delivered by a teacher through live lessons or pre-recorded content.

• Teachers adapt teaching in response to questions or assessments.

Aims of remote learning:

• Pupils have access to a planned and well-sequenced curriculum so that knowledge and skills are built incrementally, with a good level of clarity about what is intended to be taught and practised in each subject.

• Pupils have access to high-quality online and offline resources and teaching videos and that are linked to the school’s curriculum.

• Pupils have access to online tools that allow interaction, assessment and feedback.

What should my child expect from immediate remote education on the first day or two of pupils being sent home?

A pupil’s first day 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. We will aim to move to full remote teaching as quickly as possible, whilst we do this pupils may be set independent work.

Following the first few days of remote education, will my child be taught broadly the same curriculum as they would if they were in school?

We teach the same curriculum remotely as we do in school wherever possible and appropriate. However, there will be adaptations in some practical subjects. 

How long can I expect work set by the school to take my child each day?

Teachers set remote learning that is of equivalent quantity to that which they would receive in school (5 hours). This is greater than minimum expectations set out by the DfE of 3 hours for primary and 4 hours for secondary pupils.

How will my child be taught remotely?

We use a combination of approaches to teach pupils remotely, here are some examples of remote teaching approaches:

• Live teaching (online lessons).

• Recorded teaching (e.g. Oak National Academy lessons, video/audio recordings made by teachers).

• Printed paper packs produced by teachers (e.g. workbooks, worksheets).

•  Textbooks and reading books pupils have at home.

• Commercially available websites supporting the teaching of specific subjects or areas, including video clips or sequences.

What are your expectations for my child’s engagement?

We expect:

• Pupils engage in learning across the full range of subjects for the timetabled time, including any intervention / therapy sessions set, each day and as a minimum work for the equivalent time as they would in school (5 hours). This is greater than minimum expectations set out by the DfE of 3 hours for primary and 4 hours for secondary pupils.

• Pupils submit ‘turn in’ work through Google Classroom daily.

• Pupils follow the school’s behaviour policy.

For live lessons:

• Pupils keep their camera on (unless they are not allowed to have their image shared publicly).

• Pupils keep their microphone off unless speaking.

• Pupils are in a public area of the home.

• Pupils should be appropriately dressed. 

How can we as parents and carers support our children at home?

• Ensure children are punctual in the morning and attend all sessions.

• Ensure children are engaged throughout the day.

• Ensure that work is submitted each day.

• Ensure that children are in a public area of the home.

• Contact the class teacher or the school office@hillsidefirst.dorset.sch.uk if you have any concerns of queries.

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

• Schools will provide feedback to parents by phone or email daily where there are concerns regarding engagement.

• Schools will contact parents immediately where there is a safeguarding concern.

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 provide whole-class feedback at least weekly, though Google Classroom.

• Teachers provide individual feedback where there are specific points to be made at least weekly, though Google Classroom.

• Automated feedback from digital platforms will be provided for each assignment.

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 the youngest in reception and year one and those 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:

• For the youngest children work will be adapted.

• School staff will be deployed to work with families to deliver a broad and ambitious curriculum for pupils with SEND where they may not be able to access remote education without adult support.

• Pupils who receive specialist therapies continue with this support through remote therapy or using online therapy sessions.

• Therapy sessions such as SALT or OT will continue, preferably by using virtual sessions but online services such as Oak Academy sessions can also be used.

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

Where individual pupils need to self-isolate but the majority of their peer group remains in school, full remote education will be offered although it may not be possible to deliver live lessons. This is due to the challenges of teaching pupils both at home and in school. 

How is my child kept safe online? 

• All live lessons will be recorded by the teacher.

• Pupils that are not allowed to have their picture shared publicly can keep their camera turned off.

• Pupils should speak with a trusted adult if they come across content online that makes them uncomfortable. 

What is the School timetable?

Weekly timetables will be posted on the Google Classroom.

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

We recognise that not everyone will have access to a suitable device at home. To support remote learning in the event of children not being in school we have a flexible, but limited resource of google chromebooks to loan out to children whilst they are at home. Please contact the school office office@hillsidefirst.dorset.sch.uk if you do not have access to a device at home. In addition to this we can provide printed resources, such as textbooks and workbooks.

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

Lesson materials, resources, videos, links to other platforms and feedback will be delivered through Google Classrooms.

Any live lesson elements will be delivered through GoogleMeets

In addition to the Google suite we have invested in a suite of digital content to support learning, assessment and feedback.

Sumdog provides online maths and spelling practice that children love. Sumdog adapts questions to match your child’s ability and uses engaging games to build confidence and make learning enjoyable.

It’s available on desktop and as an app for Android or iPhone. Your child can practice anytime, anywhere.

Sumdog is an online maths and spelling practice tool aligned to all major curricula for ages 5 – 14 that can be used wherever your child is learning from.

You can use Sumdog to:

• Reinforce key maths and literacy skills.

• Engage and motivate your children through gamified activities.

• Stay connected with peers in multiplayer games.

Bug Club combines printed books with interactive eBooks and a unique learning platform which is proven to make 30 months of progress in reading in just 18 months.

What support is there for my child’s mental health?

Supporting good mental health:

Shout	https://www.giveusashout.org	This is a free text support helpline for all ages so it is relevant for young people and parents.
Stem	https://stem4.org.uk	Supporting positive mental health in teenagers
The Children’s Society	https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/mental-health-advice-for-childrenand-young-people/the-advice-resource-vault	Advice for young people from young people.
Young Minds	https://youngminds.org.uk	The UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health.
Dorset Mind Your Head	http://dorsetmindyourhead.co.uk	Supporting young people’s wellbeing in Dorset.
Keep Your Head	www.keep-your-head.com	Keep Your Head brings together reliable information on mental health and wellbeing for children, young people and adults
Dorset MIND	https://dorsetmind.uk	Useful for signposting and self care tips
MIND	https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/usefulcontacts	Details of places you can go if you're a young person looking for support or information.
CAMHS resources	https://www.camhs-resources.co.uk/downloads	Downloadable self-help guides that we hope may be useful to you.
Headspace app or online	https://www.headspace.com	Mindfulness for your everyday life. Stress less. Move more. Sleep soundly.
Kooth	www.kooth.com	Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
Charlie Waller Memorial Trust	https://www.cwmt.org.uk/schools-families-resources	Good mental health resources for young people and parents in need during the current crisis.

What technical support is there for parents?

A website has been set up with videos and guides to support you in using google platforms and tapestry. Available here: https://parentsupport.wimborneacademytrust.org/

• Support for those using Oak National Academy found here.

• Specialist lessons can be found here.

• Specialist therapies can be found here.

How can I get in contact about remote learning?

If you have any questions or queries about remote learning or need technical support, please get in touch with the school office: office@hillsidefirst.dorset.sch.uk and they will be happy to help.

Where can I find the remote learning policy?

This is attached below.

Link to DfE expectations https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools#res