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1. AimsIn the event of a school closure, The Norwood School is committed to ensuring a continuity to theeducational experience and outcomes of all pupils who are unable to attend school. This policy applies to a Tier 2 school closure, which would require secondary schools to adopt a rota systemso as to limit school attendance, Tier 3, which requires secondary schools and FE colleges to limit on-siteattendance to just vulnerable children and young people, the children of critical workers and selected yeargroups, or Tier 4, which goes further to limit attendance to just vulnerable children and young people andthe children of critical workers.This remote learning policy for staff aims to:Ensure consistency in the approach to remote learning for pupils who aren’t in school.Set out expectations for all members of the school community with regards to remote learning.Provide appropriate guidelines for data protection.This policy also outlines the procedures for staff to follow regarding students required to isolate whilst theschool remains open.2. Roles and responsibilities2.1 TeachersWhen providing remote learning, teachers must be available between 8.30 am and 4.00pm.If they are unable to work for any reason during this time, for example due to sickness or caring for adependent, they should report this using the normal absence procedure.When providing remote learning, teachers are responsible for:Regarding Setting work:Setting appropriate, accessible work for the classes they teach.Providing a quantity of work equivalent to the time allocated to their subject (including the expectedamount of time normally allocated to homework).Providing live teaching (via Google Meet) that makes up an agreed portion of the range of remotelearning tasks set (30 minutes of each double lesson in KS3 and 1 hour of each triple lesson in KS4&5) and begins when the timetabled double or triple lesson would normally begin.Ensuring work is set to be completed in the time a student would normally have a lesson.Uploading work to the agreed remote learning platform (Google Classroom) and ensure they havethe relevant level of training and ICT resources to do this.Page|2
Liaising with other teachers, including those teaching in school, to ensure consistency across theyear/subject and to make sure pupils with limited access to devices can still complete the work.Where necessary, arranging for work to be sent home that follows the same curriculum andcontacting students to talk them through the tasks set;On occasion, co-ordinating within the faculty to organise cover work for colleagues who are unwellor unable to set work;Liaising weekly (at least) with teaching assistants and/or the SEND team to ensure the work set isaccessible for students with EHCPs and/or an identified SEND.Regarding providing feedback on work:Regularly reading/ reviewing their students’ work via submission on the agreed remote learningplatform (Google Classroom);Share feedback with students and parents in line with the Marking and Feedback Policy. This entails‘light marking’ of tasks as appropriate and ‘deep marking’ of tasks agreed by faculties at least twiceper half term (see Marking and Feedback Policy).Ensure students have access to their class on Google Classroom and that parents are invited via theGuardian overview function.Keep in touch with pupils regularly via Google Classroom, school email and phone calls via a withheldor school number.Working through the agreed stages for contact students when there are concerns arising aboutwork, namely:1) Email the student regarding an issue with the work, copying in the parent/guardian.2) If no response, call the parent directly, via a school number or a withheld personal number.3) If no response, log this via the student engagement tracking proforma, to be followed up by thepastoral team and/or designated staff on duty at the time.Maintaining records of virtual attendance to remote learning sessions and follow up accordingly.Recognise and celebrate good work, effort and engagement in remote learning.Provide opportunities for students to seek clarification or support with the work set during thetime the lesson would normally be running, and respond to emails or communication requestsfrom parents and pupils within normal working hours.Maintain high expectations for online engagement, behaviour and appropriacy.Attend virtual meetings with staff, parents and pupils (in the event of an extended closure),ensuring a formal dress code and avoiding areas with background noise and unsuitablebackgrounds.Deal effectively with parental concerns, complaints, referring safeguarding concerns as perwhole school policy (see section 5), logging contact on Behaviour Watch and responding within24 hours.Page|3
When students are isolating but the school remains open:Checking the isolating students list daily.Uploading relevant resources/ tasks to students who are self isolating (weekly, Google Classroom)Ensuring contact has been made with isolating students regarding work set and logging this contacton Behaviour Watch.When sending paper copies of work home, ensuring the work set mirrors the work set online and inclass.2.2 Teaching assistantsWhen assisting with remote learning, teaching assistants must be available between 8.30 and 4.00, unlessspecial arrangements have already been agreed with the Headteacher.If unable to work for any reason during this time, for example due to sickness or caring for a dependent, theyshould report this using the normal absence procedure.When assisting with remote learning, teaching assistants are responsible for:Joining the Google Classroom for the classes they support.Reviewing and adjusting materials as on Google Classroom as appropriate to the identified needs ofthe student.When a teacher has finished their ‘live’ teaching session, following up with targeted SEND pupilswith a live session to guide the students through the tasks set.Providing in-school support for vulnerable students and those with SEND.Liaising on a weekly basis with the class teacher so as to understand the work set and how best toadapt it.Where SEND students are working from home, maintaining regular contact with them to ensure theyare able to access work.Providing SEND pupils with additional support in the form of emails, phone class, scaffolded tasks,simplified, modified or supplemented tasks.Assuming primary responsibility for a number of EHCP students and contacting them twice weekly togain insight into how best to support them.Communicating any relevant issues to teaching staff that are creating a barrier to learning.Attending virtual meetings with staff, parents and pupils (in the event of an extended closure),ensuring a formal dress code and avoiding areas with background noise and unsuitable backgrounds.When students are isolating but the school remains open:Discussing with the class teacher how best to differentiate work for the student.Contacting home for children attached to the LSA’s designated year group to provide further supportwith the work.Page|4
2.3. The SENCoAlongside their teaching responsibilities, the SENCo will:Ensure vulnerable students and those with SEND continue to attend school as far as is possible andaccess the curriculum;Advise faculties and teaching staff regarding differentiation of work for students with SEND andensure this takes place through regular monitoring of and contact with identified students,communicating concerns or developments to teaching staff.2.4 Heads of Faculty or DepartmentAlongside their teaching responsibilities, HOFs and HODs are responsible for:Considering whether any aspects of the subject curriculum need to change to accommodate remotelearning.Working with teachers teaching their subject remotely to make sure all work set is appropriate andconsistent with faculty expectations.Working with other subject leads and senior leaders to make sure work set remotely across allsubjects is appropriate and consistent, and deadlines are being set an appropriate distance awayfrom each other.Monitoring the remote work set by teachers in their subject, through regular meetings with teachersor by reviewing work set/ produced.Alerting teachers to resources they can use to teach their subject remotely.When students are isolating but the school remains open:Monitoring and ensuring teachers are able to perform all the designated procedures as regardssetting work for students who are self-isolating.2.5 The pastoral teamHeads of YearAlongside any teaching responsibilities, Heads of Year are responsible for:Checking in regularly with tutors and tutees to ensure student wellbeing.Monitoring form groups daily for arising concerns around wellbeing or lack of communication.Monitoring the wellbeing of students in the year group, through regular meetings with form tutors.Delivering a pastoral programme of online assemblies via the agreed online platform.Maintaining an overview of students in their year group who have ICT access issues.Coordinating the sending home of paper copies of suitable work via the office.Maintaining an overview of the individual circumstances of students in their year group, and theirparticular requirements.Ensuring that all students in their year group have access to remote learning materials.Page|5
When students are isolating but the school remains open:Maintaining an overview of students in their year group who have ICT access issues.Coordinating the sending home of paper copies of suitable work via the office.TutorsAlongside any teaching responsibilities, tutors are responsible for:Setting up and running a Google Classroom for tutees for delivery of the pastoral programme.Maintaining an overview of tutees’ engagement in remote learning.Monitoring attendance daily and taking a morning register (from 8.30-9.00am) for studentsregistering their ‘attendance’ via google classroom.Following up on pastoral concerns by regular home contact.Coordinating online submission of any project work, as per the Independent Learning Policy.In preparation for student potentially isolating or a potential lockdown:Ensuring tutees are aware of how to access Google Classroom and navigate the platformsuccessfully, complete and upload tasks, receive and act upon feedback.Ensure the HOY is fully aware of any developments regarding changes in home situation and ICTaccess.2.6 Senior leadersAlongside any teaching responsibilities, The Senior Leadership Team assume overall responsibility for:Co-ordinating the remote learning approach across the school (IOC, JO’S, JT, JCO).Monitoring the effectiveness of Remote Learning, through regular meetings with teachers and subjectleaders, reviewing work set or reaching out for feedback from pupils and parents (whole SLT).Managing school resources to ensure effective execution of agreed practices outlined in this policy(IOC, MCO).Coordinating Continuing Professional Development towards impactful pedagogy (IOC, JO’S, JT).Monitoring the security of remote learning systems, including data protection and safeguardingconsiderations (RC, NC).Page|6
2.7 Designated safeguarding leadThe DSL is responsible for ensuring the CP and Safeguarding policy 2020 is adhered to by:following the core safeguarding policies.acting on concerns raised by staff.ensuring DSL or at least one DDSL is contactable.continuing to work with social care and external services.monitoring attendance and involvement of students at remote learning sessions.maintaining an up to date list of vulnerable students and those causing concern.2.8 IT staffIT staff are responsible for:Fixing issues with systems used to set and collect work.Helping staff and parents with any technical issues they’re experiencing.Reviewing the security of remote learning systems and flagging any data protection breaches to thedata protection officer.Assisting pupils and parents with accessing the internet or devices.2.9 Pupils and parentsStaff can expect pupils learning remotely to:Register their virtual attend to school remotely through registering themselves on their form group’sGoogle Classroom.Be contactable during the school day , although it is understood that they may not always be in frontof a device the entire time.Complete work to the deadline set by teachers.Seek help if they need it, from teachers or teaching assistants.Alert teachers if they’re not able to complete work.Staff can expect parents with children learning remotely to:Make the school aware if their child is sick or otherwise can’t complete work.Seek help from the school if they need it.Be respectful when making any complaints or concerns known to staff.Strive to ensure a home environment that is as conducive as possible to home learning.2.10 Office staffIn the event of (part) school closure, office staff will: Inform parents of how tasks will be set on Google Classroom for remote learning, in the event of alockdown or student self-isolating.Send physical copies of work home to students without access to ICT.Coordinate the photocopying and distribution of cross-curricular projects and independent learningbooklets.Inform parents when students are not logging on to Google Classroom at the expected times.Page|7
In the event of students self-isolating, office staff will: Inform parents of how tasks will be set on Google Classroom for remote learning, in the event of alockdown or student self-isolating.Provide a daily update of students who are self-isolating.Send physical copies of work home to students without access to ICT.2.11 Governing boardThe governing board is responsible for:Monitoring the school’s approach to providing remote learning to ensure education remains as highquality as possible.Ensuring that staff are certain that remote learning systems are appropriately secure, for both dataprotection and safeguarding reasons.Monitoring equality of access to remote learning, in particular as regards the needs of vulnerablegroups.3. Who to contactIf staff have any questions or concerns regarding the following, they should contact individuals outlinedbelow:Issues in setting work – talk to the relevant subject lead or SENCoHeads of Faculty:English: Ms E. Farthing: farthing.e@thenorwoodschool.orgMaths: Mr F. Uwaechi: uwaechi.f@thenorwoodschool.orgScience: Ms Tratt: tratt.j@thenorwoodschool.orgHumanities: Mr S. Issaka: issaka.s@thenorwoodschool.orgModern Foreign Languages: Ms A. Patel: patel.a@thenorwoodschool.orgPerforming Arts: Mr P. Crisp: crisp.p@thenorwoodschool.orgVisual Arts: Ms Cowley: cowley.a@thenorwoodschool.orgPhysical Education: Mr J. Grant: grant.j@thenrowoodschool.orgICT & Computing: Mr Skelly: skelly.l@thenorwoodschool.orgSENCo: Ms S. Lalji: lalji.s@thenorwoodschool.orgPage|8
Issues with behaviour – talk to the relevant head of year.Heads of Year:Ms Dennis; Head of Year 7: dennis.s@thenorwoodschool.orgMs Galdames; Head of Year 8: galdames.b1@thenorwooschool.orgMr Oxford; Head of Year 9: oxford.j@thenrowoodschool.orgMr Waro; Head of Year 10: waro.a@thenorwoodschool.orgMs Knight; Head of Year 11: knight.f@thenrowoodschool.orgMr Cox; Head of Sixth Form: cox.j@thenorwoodschool.orgIssues with IT:Staff should log a support call via support@rm.comIssues regarding staff wellbeing:Staff should talk to their immediate line managerConcerns about data protection:Staff should talk to the data protection officerMs B. Davis: davis.b@thenorwoodschool.orgConcerns about safeguarding:Staff should speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)DSL: Mr R. Cole: cole.r@thenorwoodschool.orgIf parents have any questions or concerns about remote learning, they should contact the followingindividuals:Queries regarding a particular subject:Speak to the relevant teacher or the Head of Faculty.Concerns regarding their child's general academic performance:Speak to their child’s form tutor in the first instance.Page|9
Safeguarding concerns:Speak to the form tutor or head of year in the first instance.ICT access issues:Speak to the form tutor in the first instance.Curriculum queries:Speak to the relevant teacher or the Head of Faculty.4. Data protection4.1 Accessing personal dataWhen accessing personal data for remote learning purposes, all staff members will:Use the school’s remote gateway facility (Citrix) to access the school server.Access shared documents via the school’s google drive.Use other applications via the school’s Rmunify launch pad (e.g. Behaviourwatch to access andupdate information).Understand and adhere to the expectations for acceptable internet use, professional online conductand online safety, as outlined in our policies (see Section 6)If staff have been provided with school devices to do this, they will use these with preference over personaldevices.4.2 Processing personal dataStaff members may need to collect and/or share personal data such as ( such as school email addresses) aspart of the remote learning system. As long as this processing is necessary for the school’s official functions,individuals won’t need to give permission for this to happen.However, staff are reminded to collect and/or share as little personal data as possible online.4.3 Keeping devices secureStaff will ensure that, for all their KS3 classes, the video function is disabled and teacher audio andpresentation are all that is visible for the live portion of the lesson. In KS4, some practical subjects (Dance,PE, Acting) will conduct tutorials with small groups (4-5) that will use the video function to monitor physicalresponses to tasks set. In KS5, the use of audio and video is permitted for live teaching, provided thatprotocols are followed as outlined in the Remote Virtual Learning Protocols for Sixth Form.All staff members will also take appropriate steps to ensure their devices remain secure, such as:Keeping the device password-protected – strong passwords are at least 8 characters, with acombination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and special characters.Ensuring the hard drive is encrypted.Making sure the device locks if left inactive for a period of time.Not sharing the device among family or friends.Installing antivirus and anti-spyware software.Keeping operating systems up to date – always installing the latest updates.Page|10
5. SafeguardingThe school’s updated policies and documents pertinent to safeguarding can be located here:https://www.thenorwoodschool.org/page/?title=Policies%2C+Risk+Assessments+%26amp%3B+Documents&pid=23Relevant policies to safeguarding:Behaviour Policy Addendum Covid 19Remote Virtual Learning Protocols for Lower SixthCPD and Safeguarding Policy April 2020 Covid 19Covid 19 Risk Assessment Form B (update September 2020)6. Monitoring arrangementsThis policy will be reviewed half termly as a minimum expectation by James O;Sullivan (DeputyHeadteacher). At every review, it will be approved by Denise Webster (Headteacher).7. Links to other policiesThis policy is linked to our:Covid 19 Risk Assessment Form B (update September 2020)Behaviour policyIndependent Learning PolicyChild protection policy and coronavirus addendum to our child protection policyData protection policy and privacy noticesHome-school agreementICT and internet acceptable use policyOnline safety policyStaff Code of Conduct and Professional Behaviour PolicyPage|11