• What is remote learning?

Remote Learning is work set for children to do at home when they are unable to attend school in person for an extended period of time due to a school closure, for example when we closed for the COVID19 pandemic.

It is often online work on a computer or tablet but can include paper based tasks (Home Learning packs) or other activities such as physical activity, outdoor challenges, art work and scientific enquiry.

• How is it different to work in school?

We will ensure that children get the best possible teaching and make good progress however virtual classrooms cannot be the same as being in school.

Young children should not sit at computer screens for several hours a day uninterrupted therefore we will choose the most effective delivery mechanism for each curriculum subject.

• What about children with particular learning needs?

We will provide individualised activities and bespoke learning opportunities matched to specific needs in order for pupils to make the best possible progress.

• Curriculum... what will we teach?

Our remote curriculum will have the same underlying content and high expectations as for children attending school in person.

For short periods of time (less than a week closure) we will provide a variety of activities for children to complete linked to class work previously delivered. This will be delivered using our usual home learning platforms and communicated via parent pay. 

For longer periods of time (more than a week closure) we will provide online teaching and activities through Google classroom. These learning activities will include daily reading, writing and maths as well as
at least one other subject each day (Science, Music, PSHE, P.E. or Topic work including History, Geography, Art of Design Technology focused skills) 

For children in EYFS - all 17 areas of learning will be offered through a combination of remote provision and Home Learning packs.

Daily reading will continue to be encouraged alongside Spelling practice plus Maths key skills practice using TTRS or Numbots depending on the age of your child will continue to be promoted. 

At least one activity per day, although set on Google classroom, will be expected to be
completed using pencil and paper in order to continue the development of children's fine motor skills and handwriting.

Children will also be expected to join in physical activities shared at least twice across a week.

We will continue with our Feel Good Fridays with less academic work set and a larger focus on basic life skills and mental health.

• What will each day look like?

The work we set will take between 3 - 4 hours each day.

The aim will be for Lower Phase Children (Children in Nursery, Reception and Year 1) to be set approximately 3 hours per day, Middle Phase Children (Children in Years 2 and 3) to be set approximately 3.5 hours per day and Upper Phase Children (Children in Years 4, 5 and 6) to be set approximately 4 hours per day. Teachers will be available in the Google Classroom within normal school hours providing support, feedback and encouragement to children.

This is in line with government guidelines.

Alongside this, we will continue to signpost additional activities and encourage children to access the learning zone on our school website which we update regularly and will add additional activities to in the event of remote learning being implemented. 

• How will children get online? 

● If children don’t have a device or access to the internet, we will do our utmost to help, we have a limited number of devices that can be loaned on the basis of need and following signature of our Acceptable User Agreements. Please contact our parent liaison lead if you would like to be considered for a device or need help accessing the internet using your own device using the dedicated email:  parentliaison@valleyprimary.org or by telephoning our school office on 0121 743 4691 and asking for Miss Freeborn. 

• How do we teach in our virtual school?

‘Live teaching’ in Google Classroom is real time communication between teacher and children but without live two way video. Teachers may pre-record inputs and then link to set tasks which they monitor as children work, providing feedback and encouragement. This may include some live videos. 

• What does engagement and feedback look like? 

When children learn from home, we need parent or carers help to ensure they are safe and that they have a space which is suited to their needs and as free as possible from distractions or risks. We can’t be responsible for their health and safety. They are under parent or carers supervision therefore it is crucial that children are not left alone for extended periods.

Children succeed best if they have a regular daily routine. It is that structure that they miss most when they are away from school. We check children’s engagement with our virtual school on a daily basis. If we identify that a child is not submitting work, we will contact parents or carers by phone to provide support.

• Queries 

If you have any questions regarding this provision or would like further information, please call the school office on 0121 743 4691 or email: office@valleyprimary.org