At boston spa academy – Remote education

At Boston Spa Academy, we are wholeheartedly dedicated to ensuring that all students in our care receive a first-class education and achieve their goals in life, whatever they might be. Our staff value each of our students as individuals and work tirelessly to ensure that students achieve excellent outcomes when they leave the academy. That is why we have such a strong commitment to our remote learning; we want to ensure that there is no barrier between our students and an outstanding education. In order to ensure that Boston Spa Academy is providing the very best remote learning opportunities which enable all students to access lessons mirroring those which would take place in school, all students who cannot be physically in school for extenuating circumstances, whether that be for a pre-agreed medical reason or due to the long-term impacts of COVID-19, can access lessons via Google Classroom.

The remote curriculum mirrors the school curriculum for each subject. We believe that learning should be as closely matched as possible to that which is delivered within school. Our leaders have designed a curriculum that allows students to make rapid progress and therefore, while students are working remotely the curriculum is not narrowed. Our teachers have planned how the full curriculum can be best delivered to those working at home. We are immensely proud of the fact that our students have the opportunity to attend live lessons, if they are well enough to do so, when in-person attendance in school or college is either not possible or contrary to government guidance. Students are able to ‘attend’ the lesson as usual, ask the teacher questions and receive feedback, just as if they were within the classroom. We therefore are able to deliver the curriculum in its full extent.

From the first day of absence, students are able to log in and connect remotely to their lessons, meaning that no learning time is lost. Teachers are aware of students who are required to work from home and therefore can directly invite students to join their lessons immediately. The remote learning policy we have built ensures that remote learning begins immediately upon identification of a student who is not able to attend school – we are able to provide students with immediate live education, using the platform of Google Classroom.

Where issues with IT exist at home, we are well placed to support with Laptops and devices to provide Internet access, meaning that our remote learning offer is truly accessible to all.

Due to the nature of the subject, students are not able to access their PE lessons live. However, to ensure that students continue to receive high-quality education that looks after their physical health and follows the curriculum, our teachers have pre-recorded video lessons for students to follow when their PE lesson would usually take place. These lessons have been carefully planned, taking into consideration that students may not have the appropriate equipment at home to follow the full Curriculum. They are lessons that are accessible for all students and certainly ensure that students are pushed hard and are keeping fit and healthy!

We expect students to log in for each of their lessons, as they would in a regular school day. Students will follow their timetable lesson by lesson; this ensures that students receive the same hours of education working from home, as they would within the school day.

The platform that lessons are delivered through is Google classrooms. This platform allows our teachers to deliver their lessons ‘live’ to those at home. The platform has a range of functions that ensure the safety of our students as well as ensuring the learning of our students is of a fantastic standard. Some of the features include:

  • Students are able to log in using their school username and password, ensuring their safety on the platform.
  • The teacher can ‘screen share’ so that anything that takes place within the classroom, also takes place for students at home. This means students are able to engage in tasks under the visualiser or tasks done live on the SmartBoard, ensuring a more interactive way of working.
  • The chatbox allows students to ask questions live within the lesson to their teacher, should they require extra support. This function also allows teachers to engage live with students to assess their understanding as the lesson develops.
  • Teachers have control of the microphones of students, allowing order and high standards of behaviour in remote conditions whilst ensuring safeguarding needs are met.
  • Teachers are able to upload multiple files that are stored long term on the class page. This means worksheets, texts, diagrams and other useful learning tools can be utilised in the exact same way from home.
  • There is a whiteboard feature to allow group work amongst students.

In order for students to access the platform, they must access the school website and log in via the Dashboard. This will allow students to select Google Classrooms and access their lessons.

Please watch our quick guide tutorials below to see how students can access remote teaching and learning.

QUICK GUIDE TUTORIALS

HOW TO ACCESS GOOGLE CLASSROOM

HOW TO JOIN A LIVE GOOGLE CLASSROOM SESSION

VIDEO GUIDE TO DOWNLOADING ATTACHMENTS ON GOOGLE CLASSROOM

VIDEO GUIDE TO UPLOADING WORK TO GOOGLE CLASSROOM

VIDEO GUIDE TO VIEWING TEACHER FEEDBACK AND COMPLETING G4G

We recognise that some students may not have access to a suitable device at home, or to the internet. We are committed to ensuring that this does not become a barrier for students receiving the education that we have to offer. Therefore, if you are in a position where your child does not have access to either a device or the internet, please see the below process to ensure this is rectified immediately:

  1. If your child is not expected to be in school and requires a device, please email [email protected] immediately with your request (please specify whether it is a device or internet that is required).
  2. This request will immediately be passed onto the attendance team. They will give you a call to clarify the details of what you require.
  3. If it is a laptop that is required, there is a home usage agreement that you are required to sign that details how the device can be used. You will then be able to pick the laptop up from the school reception at your earliest convenience. Please note that only in exceptional circumstances would a member of our team be able to drop the device off at your home address.
  4. If there is no internet access for your child at home, we are able to provide a Dongle for you to use. The Dongle provides data that can be used to access the internet. As these Dongles have been provided by the Department of Education, they have appropriate filters in place that block websites that are not deemed appropriate for educational use. The usage of this data is tracked and monitored. There is a home usage agreement that you are required to sign that details how the Dongle can be used. You will then be able to pick the Dongle up from the school reception at your earliest convenience. Please note that only in exceptional circumstances would a member of our team be able to drop off the Dongle.
  5. For the duration of the time your child is required to self-isolate, they are able to use the device/internet as required to ensure their home learning can take place. Your child will then be required to return the device on their return to school.

We want to ensure that all students can access their lessons remotely to receive the support and guidance when working remotely. Our students value the system we currently use and understand that whilst working remotely, this is the best way for them to receive their education.

We expect your child to log in remotely for every single lesson. At Boston Spa Academy, we understand that the best support that your child can receive is that from their individual class teachers. Therefore, your role in your child’s education is to simply support us in encouraging your child to be logged on and ready for their lessons.

In order to support students learning remotely, teachers will track engagement online. If a teacher is concerned that a student who is supposed to be accessing lessons online has not been engaging this will be raised with the relevant Pastoral colleagues who will intervene to support the student where necessary.

Students will work in their exercise books, where possible. In the event that they are required to work at home and their book is at school, students can complete their work electronically. Upon return to school, students will have their work marked as per the academy policy.

The main way in which teachers will assess students’ work is through the systematic checking and marking of this work. Following the carefully planned Curriculum maps, teachers will mark key pieces of work through this platform and provide students with clear feedback and opportunity for improvements.

However, teachers will also utilise the opportunity for ‘live’ feedback within lessons to help to facilitate the progress of students within the lesson. This will take place in the following ways:

  • Teachers will directly question students within the lesson to check their understanding and allow students to progress
  • Teachers will use Google Classroom to quiz and test students on knowledge, enabling them to understand their next steps in planning
  • Teachers will use a range of assessment for learning strategies to assess how well students are following the lesson. Teaching staff have received additional training to ensure that they can facilitate this for students whilst they work remotely

Whilst we are providing an education that mirrors exactly that which you would receive in school, we understand that motivation can be difficult. Here are some top tips to be an excellent remote learner and ensure that your education at home is successful:

  • Set an alarm at the same time you would if you were required to come into school. This gives you the time to get ready and have a good morning routine ahead of the day of lessons.
  • Try to change the environment you work in so that you are not in the same room every day. For example, try to move away from the bedroom if this is where you spend the majority of your time. This will allow you to benefit from a different environment’.
  • Use the break and lunch time to enjoy a screen break. Move away completely from your computer and phone to help your engagement levels when you return.
  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day and stay hydrated to help you with your motivation and engagement levels.
  • Ask your teachers about anything you are unsure of to ensure you are following the content and understand what is required of you.
  • Finally, ensure you maintain a healthy sleep pattern in your self-isolation period to allow regular routine and focus!