The information in this Plan/Policy is intended to provide clarity and transparency to pupils and parents or carers about what to expect from remote education.
This plan will be applied in the following instances:

· An individual is self-isolating because of a positive test within the household;

· A group of children (‘bubble’) are self-isolating because of a case of coronavirus in the class;

· There is a local or national Lockdown of school due to an increase in the R number and transmission rates as determined by Public health England and the Government

The plan complies with the expectations and principles outlined in the DFE document Guidance for Full Opening of Schools. 

The following ‘key questions’ are answered in the Plan/Policy and help outline our response to a need for remote learning:

•  What should be expected in terms of immediate remote education in the first day or two of a pupil being sent home?
• After the first few days will a pupil be broadly taught the same curriculum as they would as if they were in school?
• How long can a pupil expect to spend completing the work set by school?
• How will a pupil access the online remote education the school is providing?
• If a pupil does not have access to digital access at home, how will school support them?
• How will a pupil be taught remotely?
• What are the school’s expectations for a pupil’s engagement and support that parents/carers should provide at home?
• How will school check whether a pupil is engaging with their work and how will parents/carers be informed if there are concerns?
• How will the work and progress of a pupil be assessed?
• How will school help a pupil who needs additional support from adults at home to access remote education?

A Message from our LPAP Educational Psychologist written during National Lockdown Summer 2020; the message she shares is as relevant now - Spring 2021 in Lockdown 3 - as it was then...

These are unprecedented times and so no-one has the answers. Parents haven’t chosen to educate their children at home, and so expectations of what can be achieved should be realistic.  The most important thing at the moment is that children and their parents are physically and mentally healthy and able to manage a very difficult and anxious time.

Parents and schools need to keep in mind that all children are different. Some children may need lots of routine and structure and may feel uncomfortable if they are not doing work and ‘keeping up’; others may be more anxious and need lots of reassurance and non-educational distraction activities. Some will work better in the morning, some later in the day. Some will need to be doing everything and then resting, others having lots of short breaks. Parents too need different things: they need a break from the children, time to work, time to manage their own anxieties, time to connect with friends and families.  There is a lot of advice on line, but no ‘one size fits all’. Parents are the experts in their own child(ren), so working with them to help them find the best way forward as a family is important, not doing what they think others are.

It is also very important to remember that this is crisis time, and it is not surprising that adults and children are feeling anxious, sad or frightened. These are normal reactions to such a difficult situation. Children may also be feeling fine and happier that they are not at school. If possible, having time to ‘check in’, and allow everyone to say how they are feeling is helpful, and sometimes knowing they can do that and that they will get a reassuring chat or a hug is enough for children.

Talking to Children about COVID-19

• Allow children to ask questions: It is natural that children will have questions and worries about Coronavirus. Giving them the space to ask these questions and have answers is a good way to ease anxiety.
• Younger children might understand a cartoon or picture better than an explanation.
• It is ok to say you don’t know - at the moment, there are questions we don’t have answers to about Coronavirus.
• Maybe your child has an idea too – let them tell you or draw them.
• Try to manage your own worries: Uncertainty can make all of us feel anxious or worried. Identify other adults you can talk to about your own worries. Use techniques that help to make you feel a bit calmer - if you are at home, music, breathing and relaxation techniques, distraction (such as watching something funny), and time with family can all help.
• Give practical guidance: Remind your child of the most important things they can do to stay healthy but find motivation for keeping going, like thinking of a song they want to sing while washing their hands).