Remote Education at Birchwood Junior School

At Birchwood Junior School, we follow guidance from the Department for Education. While every effort will always be made to keep the school open to all pupils, there may be exceptional circumstances when it is not possible to open safely, or when doing so would be in contradiction to guidance from local or central government.

In such rare cases, if restricting attendance is the only viable option, we will provide remote education to help pupils continue with their learning and minimise disruption.

Our Remote Education Plan

Teachers will prepare a timetable of work designed to help pupils stay on track with their learning. This will include high-quality lessons developed by Oak National Academy, which the Department for Education recommends as an example of good practice.

The timetable will be shared as soon as reasonably practicable, and will be proportionate to the length of absence and the level of disruption.

The timetable will set out a structured programme of learning, including recorded lessons to watch and assignments to complete. This provision will aim to reflect, as closely as possible, the curriculum that would normally take place in school. It will also take into account the needs and circumstances of pupils and their families, including age, stage of development, SEND, screen time and parental support.

Where possible, the timetable will match the length of the school day, while also recognising the independent study skills of pupils and the need to limit extended screen time. In addition to recorded lessons, pupils will be directed towards activities such as reading, number fact recall, handwriting and spelling practice. These activities, already familiar through homework, will be supported by online resources and reminders. For example, the timetable may include: “Complete 15 minutes of practice on Times Table Rockstars.”

Where absences are extended, pupils will also have regular opportunities for feedback and interaction with their teachers and peers through Microsoft TEAMS.

Provision for Pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan

The SENCO will work closely with class teachers to create an individual timetable tailored to each pupil’s needs, focusing on the outcomes in their plan. This may involve video meetings with teachers, support staff and external agencies. Additional resources may also be sent directly to the child’s home.

Access

We are committed to ensuring all pupils can access remote education. Where needed, we will provide support through the loan of equipment, help with connectivity, or printed resources if online access is not possible.

Engagement

Engagement in remote learning is essential. Teachers and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) will work together to address any barriers to participation. The SLT will meet daily to monitor engagement across the school.

For closures lasting longer than two days, class teachers or year group leaders will contact parents of pupils who have not submitted work. These calls will help us identify whether there are technical difficulties or if further clarification of expectations is needed.

Parents are asked to notify the school, via private comment or email, if their child is unwell and unable to complete work. Our aim is for all children to engage fully with their lessons wherever possible.

Individual Pupils

In some limited cases, remote education may also be provided for individual pupils who are absent from school but well enough to learn.