Thank you to those of you who have responded to the feedback survey. Overall things seem to be working. 90% feel we have supported students well throughout lockdown, 74% feel able to support their child in online working, 81% responding said students are engaged but 25% have connectivity and IT issues. We are looking at how to access the government’s offer of support to buy equipment, should this continue into June and July, so this will help us improve engagement.
The main point you have raised is more use of video tutorials. We have been working behind the scenes to get staff to be able to record themselves whilst demonstrating technique. One issue that has arisen however, is how to protect staff and students online, the last thing we want is to have videos of staff or students posted inappropriately. Also we obviously can’t control what we might see and wouldn’t want students on screen possibly in their bedrooms or pyjamas!
We had also thought of having virtual tutor groups- allowing students to ‘meet’ in a virtual space using Google Meet. Again we have to be sure we are protecting students and ensure online safety. We think we have cracked it and are training staff remotely over the next few days to be able to deliver tutorials appropriately. Mr Ashcroft has already tried recording responses to students so hopefully this will help us stay connected and improve the online lessons. We are also directing staff to use GCSEPod where appropriate as they have some excellent video tutorials across a wide range of subjects.
For those of you eligible for Free School Meals, but not taking up the provision, please do let us know if you want to be added to the weekly delivery. We can deliver a week’s worth of ingredients on a Monday should you need it, so do let me know.
We have now spoken to all subject teachers and we will be ordering workbooks for Year 7 & 8 in English, Maths and science and additional GCSE revision guides for Year 9s.
Following the Secretary of State’s statement on Wednesday about a possible phased return of schools, we are now planning on how to keep students socially distanced on school buses to and from school, as well as in the building. The bus companies have been asked how they will maintain social distancing and as you can imagine it is a bit of a logistical nightmare. A 57 seater will only be able to carry 15 students maximum. Today I am walking the corridors and classrooms trying to work out how we keep everyone safe. It may be that we instigate a one way movement of travel across the whole school and we have deliberated on defining 2 metres distance spaces on the floors- like some shops have done. As ever, until we know anything definite these are just plans and when we know, we will share the details.
For now I would again reiterate the importance of keeping a balance between screen time, exercise, wellbeing and other activities.
