Park Street, Thame, Oxford OX9 3HU
Tel: 01844 212291


JOHN HAMPDEN PRIMARY SCHOOL

Remote Learning Policy

1. Aims

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

2. Roles and responsibilities

2.1 Teachers

When providing remote learning, teachers must be available for their contracted hours.

If they’re unable to work for any reason during this time, for example due to sickness or caring for a dependent, they should report this by ringing Mr Hankey (JHS) or Mrs Charlton (Tetsworth)

When providing remote learning, teachers are responsible for:

Setting work:

  • Teachers must provide work for all classes/Year Groups that they have a teaching responsibility for.
  • Daily work should include an English, Maths and Topic or Science
  • This work should be available for the children no later than 24 hours from their first day of absence
  • Work and instructions/timetables for the day and/or week will be e-mailed to pupils using their School E-mail (TPS) or uploaded on to Purple Mash (JHS). Tasks set will include White Rose Maths for maths and may include other electronic programs such as BBC Learning and Oak Academy. ICT equipment will be made available using a loan system where needed.
  • Teachers should liaise with colleagues to ensure that all children are getting the same provision

Providing feedback on work – cover details like:

  • Pupils will complete tasks and return via their School e-mail or upload work on to Purple Mash for teachers to mark
  • Teachers will provide feedback through star and smiley face symbols or with a written or recorded comment for at least one piece of extended work per week. Oral feedback will be given during live lessons.
  • Children will be able to view or listen to the teacher’s feedback when they log in to their School e-mail (TPS) or Purple Mash (JHS).

Keeping in touch with pupils who aren’t in school and their parents:

  • If children are isolating for a period of time but are well enough to work, teachers will provide ‘Absentee Work’ on Purple Mash (JHS) or their via their School e-mail (TPS) as well as their usual homework
  • Pupils and parents can contact teachers via Purple Mash e mail (JHS) or their school e-mail (TPS) and can expect a reply within 24 hours of sending
  • Complaints and concerns should be shared with the SLT
  • If children fail to complete work for a number of days, teachers will contact parents and the pupil via e mail or by phone

Attending virtual meetings with staff, parents and pupils:

  • Teachers and the SENCo may arrange Zoom meetings with parents.
  • All staff must follow the risk assessment and procedures set by the school
  • Staff must avoid areas with background noise and ensure there is nothing inappropriate or personal in the background

Staff will provide home-learning packs in hard-copy from for pupils who are unable to access online learning. This will be individually addressed and delivered to the child’s home by a member of staff

2.2 Teaching assistants

When assisting with remote learning, teaching assistants must be available for their contracted school hours.

If they’re unable to work for any reason during this time, for example due to sickness or caring for a dependent, they should report this using the normal absence by contacting the SLT member responsible for their year group

When assisting with remote learning, teaching assistants are responsible for:

Supporting pupils who aren’t in school with learning remotely:

  • If directed to by the SENCo or Classteacher

Attending virtual meetings with teachers, parents and pupils if requested to do so:

  • Staff must avoid areas with background noise and ensure there is nothing inappropriate or personal in the background

If teaching assistants are working in school supporting teaching staff on site then there will not be a requirement for them to partake in remote learning

2.3 Subject leads

Alongside their teaching responsibilities, subject leads are responsible for:

  • Considering whether any aspects of the subject curriculum need to change to accommodate remote learning
  • Working with teachers teaching their subject remotely to make sure all work set is appropriate and consistent
  • Alerting teachers to resources they can use to teach their subject remotely

2.4 Senior leaders

Alongside any teaching responsibilities, senior leaders are responsible for:

  • Co-ordinating the remote learning approach across the school
  • Monitoring the effectiveness of remote learning –through regular meetings with teachers and subject leaders, reviewing work set or reaching out for feedback from pupils and parents
  • Monitoring the security of remote learning systems, including data protection and safeguarding considerations

2.5 Designated safeguarding lead

It is recognised by the John Hampden and Tetsworth Primary Schools Federation that the use of technology presents challenges and risks to children and adults both inside and outside of school.

The DSL has overall responsibility for online safeguarding within the school.

John Hampden and Tetsworth Primary Schools Federation identifies that the issues can be broadly categorised into three areas of risk:

  • content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material
  • contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users
  • conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm.

The DSL and leadership team have read Annex D regarding Online Safety within ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ 2021.

John Hampden and Tetsworth Primary Schools Federation recognises the specific risks that can be posed by mobile phones and cameras and in accordance with KCSIE 2021 and EYFS Statutory Framework 2021 has appropriate policies in place that are shared and understood by all members of the school community. Further information about specific approaches relating to this can be found in the schools Online Safety Policy, Acceptable Use Policy and Image Use Policy which can be found the Policy Folder in the School Office on each site.

As schools and colleges increasingly work online, it is essential that children are safeguarded from potentially harmful and inappropriate online material John Hampden and Tetsworth Primary Schools Federation will ensure that appropriate filtering and monitoring systems are in place when pupils and staff access school systems and internet provision.

John Hampden and Tetsworth Primary Schools Federation acknowledge that whilst filtering and monitoring is an important part of schools online safety responsibilities, it is only one part of our approach to online safety. Pupils and adults may have access to systems external to the school control such as mobile phones and other internet enabled devices and technology and where concerns are identified appropriate action will be taken.

John Hampden and Tetsworth Primary Schools Federation acknowledge where children are being asked to learn online at home the department for education has provided advice to support schools and colleges do so safely.

Guidance on safeguarding in relation to Virtual Lessons can be found using the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-and-remote-education-during-coronavirus-covid-19

John Hampden and Tetsworth Primary Schools Federation will ensure a comprehensive whole school curriculum response is in place to enable all pupils to learn about and manage online risks effectively and will support parents and the wider school community (including all members of staff) to become aware and alert to the need to keep children safe online.

Please see e-safety section in Schools Safeguarding Policy (Annex 5)

2.6 SENCo

When providing remote learning, SENCos must be available for their contracted hours.

If they’re unable to work for any reason during this time, for example due to sickness or caring for a dependent, they should report this by ringing Mr Hankey (JHS) or Mrs Charlton (Tetsworth)

When providing remote learning, SENCos are responsible for:

  • Liaising with teachers about provisions for pupils where necessary
  • Liaising with outside agencies
  • Attending virtual meetings with teachers, parents and pupils:
    – Staff must avoid areas with background noise and ensure there is nothing inappropriate or personal in the background
  • Keeping in touch with SEND and vulnerable pupils who aren’t in school and their parents
  • Providing home-learning packs in hard-copy from for pupils who are unable to access online learning and needing pastoral support. This will be individually addressed and delivered to the child’s home
  • Where necessary, deploying specialist Teaching Assistants to support individual learning

2.7 Pupils and parents

Staff can expect pupils learning remotely to:

  • Be contactable during the school day – although consider they may not always be in front of a device the entire time
  • Complete work to the deadline set by teachers
  • Seek help if they need it, from teachers
  • 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 via Purple Mash or by e mailing the office
  • Be respectful when making any complaints or concerns known to staff

2.8 Governing board

The governing board is responsible for:

  • Monitoring the school’s approach to providing remote learning to ensure education remains as high quality as possible
  • Ensuring that staff are certain that remote learning systems are appropriately secure, for both data protection and safeguarding reasons

3. Who to contact

If staff have any questions or concerns about remote learning, they should contact the following individuals:

  • Issues in setting work – talk to the relevant subject lead or SENCO
  • Issues with behaviour – talk to the relevant Key Stage Leader(JHS) or Head of Teaching and Learning (TPS)
  • Issues with IT – talk to SLT
  • Issues with their own workload or wellbeing – talk to their line manager
  • Concerns about data protection – talk to the SLT
  • Concerns about safeguarding – talk to the DSL

4. Data protection

4.1 Accessing personal data

When accessing personal data for remote learning purposes, all staff members will:

  • Use the server in our IT network
  • Use school laptops rather than their own personal devices
  • Make any phone calls from the school office rather than on personal phones

4.2 Processing personal data

  • Staff members may need to collect and/or share personal data such as email addresses as part 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.
  • Staff are reminded to collect and/or share as little personal data as possible online.

4.3 Keeping devices secure

All staff members will take appropriate steps to ensure their devices remain secure. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Keeping the device password-protected – strong passwords are at least 8 characters, with a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and special characters (e.g. asterisk or currency symbol)
  • 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 install the latest updates

5. Safeguarding

We will follow the statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education Sept 2021.

Our normal child protection policy will continue to apply to pupils working remotely

We will always have regard for these important safeguarding principles:

  • The best interests of children must come first
  • If anyone has a safeguarding concern about any child, they should act on it immediately
  • A designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or deputy should be available at all times
  • It’s essential that unsuitable people don’t enter the school workforce or gain access to children
  • Children should continue to be protected when they are online

All staff and volunteers must continue to act on any concerns they have about a child immediately. It is still vitally important to do this, both for children working at home as well as at school.

Reporting should be in line with that stated in the JHS/TPS Federated 2021/2022 Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

All staff should continue to work with and support children’s social workers, where they have one, to help protect vulnerable pupils. Pupils classed as vulnerable are those who are assessed as being in need, including children:

  • With a child protection plan
  • With a child in need plan
  • Looked after by the local authority

Have an education, health and care (EHC) plan

Have been assessed as otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or LAs, for example those who are:

  • On the edge of receiving support from children’s social care services
  • Adopted
  • Young carers
  • Considered vulnerable by the school and/or LA

6. Monitoring arrangements

This policy will be reviewed annually by Laura Craig – Deputy Head JHS and Alison Charlton – Head of Teaching and Learning TPS. At every review, it will be approved by the governing curriculum committee.

7. Links with other policies

This policy is linked to our:

Behaviour policy

Child protection policy

Data protection policy

Online safety policy

Policy Reviewed September 2021 A.M.Charlton (TPS) L.Craig (JHS)
Policy Adopted: