Plans for Remote Learning

We are sure that you will be aware that in recent guidance, the Government has outlined its expectations for remote learning in the event that pupils need to self-isolate or there is a requirement for a local lock-down. Many schools have done some really fantastic work with online learning over the last term and particularly, using MS Teams, Google Classroom and Purple Mash. Other schools have relied more on their websites to deliver learning materials to their pupils. As we move forward into the new academic year, the guidance above makes it clear that schools are expected to be able to move seamlessly to online learning with clear opportunities for interaction, differentiation, progression and assessment/feedback. We would therefore advise all schools to review their previous provision to ensure that it has the scope to deliver these expectations. 

To support schools with their use of MS Teams, G Suite for Education (Classroom and Meet) and Purple Mash, ICT Development Service has created a new Blended Learning site. The concept of the site is to provide help and guidance for school staff in managing their approach to learning where pupils may be working both in school and at home. The site includes video case studies illustrating how schools have used both Teams and Classroom to support and guide pupil learning. It has a vast number of ‘how to’ videos for Teams and Classroom/Meet along with links to further guidance and resources. The site can be viewed here and also includes links to two other sites we’ve developed over the last term, our Home Learning Site and the WCC Learning Resources site. 

To further help you, from September, ICTDS is also providing free introductory webinars on MS Teams and Google Classroom for Warwickshire schools. These sessions are for up to 5 staff, last approximately 30 minutes and can be arranged to fit in with school time/date preference (subject to availability). Strategic Advice and Support (SAS) schools can also access free sessions of up to 1 hour for all staff. Similar longer sessions can be arranged for non-SAS subscribers but are chargeable. Please complete this short form to submit a training request.

Supporting Learners with SEND Back Into School

We appreciate the importance of supporting SEND learners transitioning back into school after such a long period of school closure. School environments are likely to be different from when the young person was last in school and this may impact pupils in different ways. Our aim is to support schools with this transition and have compiled a variety of visual resources which can be accessed here.

The information includes - 

• Pupil specific needs
• Speech, Language and Communication
• Visual Aids for Cognition and Learning
• Visual Aids for Well-Being
• Pupil Transition and Back to School Resources
• Visual Aids Related to Coronavirus
• Visual Aids and Scripts Related to Coronavirus
• Washing Hands
• Documents for Staff

WCC's new blending learning website

WCC’s new blended learning website offers support for teachers to make the best use of technology to support learning, within and beyond the classroom. This blog from Ofsted outlines the findings of their research into what works with eLearning in FE. The key messages are applicable across other phases of education:

• Feedback from the teacher is crucial to engagement – eLearning can provide opportunities for individual feedback which pupils value
• Live lessons are more effective than recorded lessons – teachers can check learners’ engagement regularly
• Opportunities for discussion are appreciated by learners – they miss the classroom discussion