Home > Remote Learning Policy

1. Introduction 

At St John’s we aspire to help every child reach their full potential as a child of God.

Our school policies reflect our school’s commitment to an inclusive, creative and exciting curriculum, based around high quality teaching and learning with our Catholic faith at its centre.

2. Rationale

At St John’s we understand the need to continually deliver high quality education, including during periods of remote working – whether for an individual pupil or many. We recognise the importance of maintaining high expectations in all areas of school life and ensuring that all pupils have access to the learning resources and support they need to succeed.

3. Aims 

3.1 Through the implementation of this policy, we aim to address the key concerns associated with remote working, such as online safety, access to educational resources, data protection, and safeguarding. 

3.2 This policy aims to:  

  1. Minimise the disruption to pupils’ education and the delivery of the curriculum. 
  2. Ensure provision is in place so that all pupils have access to high quality learning resources. 
  3. Protect pupils from the risks associated with using devices connected to the internet.
  4. Ensure staff, parent, and pupil data remains secure and is not lost or misused. 
  5. Ensure robust safeguarding measures continue to be in effect during the period of remote learning. 
  6. Ensure all pupils have the provision to complete their work to the best of their ability and to support their well-being during periods of remote learning.

4. Parent/carer and pupil agreement

4.1 Participation in live online interaction sessions indicates agreement with these expectations.

4.2 Parents/carers and pupils agree to:

  1. Adhere to this policy at all times during periods of remote learning.
  2. Be available to learn remotely at the specified time.
  3. Ensure work is completed as set and to the best of their ability. 
  4. Report any issues to the school as soon as possible.
  5. Ensure their child uses the equipment and technology for remote learning as intended.
  6. Be dressed appropriately.
  7. Participate in the lesson in a communal area of the home eg living room not a bedroom.
  8. Mute/unmute the microphone when directed by the teacher.
  9. Behave in a respectful manner in line with our Behaviour Policy.
  10. Contribute in a positive manner.
  11. Direct any communication only to the teacher.
  12. Not take or record any images of the online learning session and subsequently share those images.
  13. Parents/carers are to inform school if their child is unwell and enable to join the session.

4. Structure and Organisation

4.1 To accommodate families with more than one child, each year group has an allocated daily time slot (Monday to Thursday). Initially, the times for each class are:

Class 1 (Reception) 2:00pm-2:45pm

Class 2 (Year 1) 12:30pm-1:15pm

Class 3 (Year 2) 1:15pm-2:00pm

Class 4 (Year 3) 11:45am-12:30pm

Class 5 (Year 4) 11:00am-11:45am

Class 6 (Year 5) 9:45am-10:30am

Class 7 & 8 (Year 6) 9:00am-9:45am

4.2 Regular feedback will be provided to each learner by the class teacher.

4.3 Attendance at online sessions will be monitored by the class teacher.  Parents/carers will be contacted in the event of non-engagement. 

5. Online safety 

5.1 Lessons will be recorded by the class teacher. Pupils (and other people) must not record, store, or distribute any footage from online lessons in any way. This has the potential for legal consequences as well as severe school sanctions. 

5.2 Pupils must turn cameras on or off at the immediate request of the teacher. 

5.3 Pupils must wear suitable clothing – this includes others in their household. 

5.4 Pupils must be situated in a suitable area within the home with an appropriate background, and inform other family members that online learning is taking place. 

5.5 Appropriate language must be used– this includes others in their household. If inappropriate language is heard, the user account may be suspended and sanctions will be applied. 

5.6 Pupils must maintain the standard of behaviour expected in school. 

5.7 Necessary equipment and computer programmes must be used as intended.

5.8 A stable internet connection to avoid disruption to lessons will be essential. Please remember that users and backgrounds may be visible and audible at all times.

6. Equalities Obligations 

The governing body have wider responsibilities under the Equalities Act 2010 and will ensure that our school strives to do the best for all of the pupils, irrespective of disability, educational needs, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, pregnancy, maternity, sex, gender identity, religion or sexual orientation or whether they are looked-after children.

7. Date of Policy and review

6th January 2021, to be reviewed annually.