Montacute School

Remote Learning Expectations

From time to time, there may be occasions where children and young people who attend Montacute School are away from their classroom learning. This may be due to a period of ill- health, to shield from bugs or conditions in school where it would be unsafe for a child to be in school or where there are challenges with school refusal.  Where this happens, the school will always take action to ensure that learning and therapeutic support interventions can be continued at home via activities and resources sent home, home learning visits delivered by familiar staff, access to online learning platforms or bespoke school-led learning sessions via Microsoft Teams. Where appropriate, staff may also visit into the hospital where a child is being cared for. 

Teachers ensure that the learning planned, and the corresponding resources will replicate, where possible, what the day would be like if a child were still in school. Teachers will use Curriculum Unit Plans delivered through chosen themes to ensure the learning is carefully sequenced and builds on the children’s previous knowledge. 

Consultation with Governors and the local health, social care and education authority takes place when any provision adjustment is required and close partnership working secured to secure and monitor standards. 

On very rare occasions, it may be necessary to close a class due to an outbreak of sickness and/or short staffing. Whilst this is very unusual and probably only now due to the pandemic-type scenario, the school maintains a "back-up plan" should alternative approaches to learning support ever be required. The questions and points below give details to the thinking and planning should such a scenario arise:

Questions and Answers about Montacute  Remote Learning

If levels of sickness in the school impacts the levels of staffing significantly, this can mean that there are not enough members of staff in the class to look after the children, keep them safe, attend to medical needs and to also facilitate learning. Staff from other classes cannot always be redeployed as they too may become sick, thus reducing staffing levels across the school even further and for a longer period of time. Agency staff will be called upon where appropriate but only staff we know well and who work suitably with the children and young people to ensure safety and continued learning. 

Why is it sometimes necessary for my child to learn at home?

If the school is unable to cover staff sickness absence and where there are no other alternatives, the school will be forced to close the class and move to home learning. This will ALWAYS be as a last resort when there is no other option available to us and following consultation with the local Authority and Governors.  

Is my child expected to do work at home when they are ill?

If your child is ill, they must take the time to rest and recover and are not expected to work from home. You must only send your child back to school when you are certain they are fit and well and not likely to spread illness to other children or staff. Parents and carers must phone the admin team daily on 01202 693239 by 8.30am on each day of sickness to let the school know that their child will not be in school.

What if I don’t have access to the internet?

Those families who do not have access to the internet can collect the work from school or if possible they will be delivered to  them. We will also ensure there is regular phone call feedback, which can be arranged between the parent/ carer and the teacher. Please speak to your child’s class teacher if you think you will need this provision.

How do I keep my child safe whilst accessing remote learning?

Parents need to make sure that children are supervised whilst using the internet to ensure that they are only accessing content that is appropriate to them. Children have had online safety lessons in school and should be aware of how to keep themselves safe online and what to do if they don’t feel safe.

Where appropriate to engage your child in such a conversation, it would be a good idea to ask your child to tell you ways in which they can keep themselves safe while using the internet so that you as a parent can ensure that they understand. It is also important that you consider the amount of time that your child is spending online and sitting at a tablet/computer screen. Make sure that you build in time for breaks so that children are not looking at a screen for long periods of time.