Statement of intent

At Sir Thomas Boughey Academy, we understand the need to continually deliver high quality education, including during periods of remote learning. We recognise the importance of maintaining high expectations in all areas of school life and ensuring that all students have access to the learning resources and support they need to succeed.

Through the implementation of this policy, we aim to address the key concerns associated with remote learning, such as online safety, access to educational resources, data protection, and safeguarding.

Instances where students will engage in remote education include:

• Extended periods of absence due to an illness / recovery from an operation.
• Unexpected school closure, such as due to extreme weather or a lack of electricity.
• Optional holiday revision sessions which are delivered via Microsoft Teams.

This policy aims to:

• Minimise the disruption to students’ education and the delivery of the curriculum.
• Ensure provision is in place so that all students have access to high quality learning resources.
• Ensure all students have the provision they need to complete their work to the best of their ability, and to remain happy, healthy, and supported during periods of remote learning

1.       Resources

Learning materials

1. The academy will accept a range of different teaching methods during remote learning to help explain concepts and address misconceptions easily. For the purpose of providing remote learning, the academy may make use of:

• Work booklets
• Past and mock exam papers
• Current online learning portals
• Educational websites
• Live webinars
• Pre-recorded video or learning sessions.

Work is accessed via Microsoft Teams, where each class has a specific Team.

• Reasonable adjustments will be made to ensure that all students have access to the resources needed for effective remote learning.
• Teachers will ensure the programmes chosen for online learning have a range of accessibility features, e.g. voice-to-text conversion, to support students with SEND.
• Learning session plans will be adapted to ensure that the curriculum remains fully accessible and inclusive via remote learning.
• The academy will review the resources students have access to and adapt learning to account for all students needs by using a range of different formats.
• Work packs will be made available for students who do not have access to a printer – these packs can be collected from the
• Teaching staff will liaise with the SENCO and other relevant members of staff to ensure all students remain fully supported for the duration of the remote learning period.
• Any issues with remote learning resources will be reported as soon as possible to the relevant member of staff.

2.   Online safety

• Where possible, all interactions will be managed by Microsoft Teams.
• All staff and students using video communication must:
• Communicate in groups – one-to-one sessions are only permitted, with the consent of parents, between House Leaders or Key Workers and students and recorded
• Wear suitable clothing – this includes others in their household.
• Be situated in a suitable ‘public’ living area within the home with an appropriate background – ‘private’ living areas within the home, such as bedrooms, are not permitted during video communication or use a Microsoft background setting.
• Use appropriate language – this includes others in their household.
• Maintain the standard of behaviour expected in the academy.
• Use the necessary equipment and computer programs as intended.
• Not record, store, or distribute video material without permission.
• Ensure they have a stable connection to avoid disruption to learning sessions.
• Always remain aware that they are visible.

• One-to-one sessions are appropriate in some circumstances, e.g. to provide support to vulnerable students or for students with SEND. This will be decided and approved by the Headteacher in collaboration with the SENCO or SLT member responsible for Inclusion.
• Students not using devices or software as intended will be disciplined in line with the Behaviour Policy.
• The academy will ensure that all academy -owned equipment and technology used for remote learning has suitable anti-virus software installed, can establish secure connections, can recover lost work, and allows for audio and visual material to be recorded or downloaded, where required.

3.   Marking and feedback

All schoolwork completed through remote learning must be:

• Finished to the best of the ability of the student when returned to the relevant member of teaching staff.
• Returned on or before the deadline set by the relevant member of teaching staff.
• Completed to the best of the student’s ability.
• The student’s own work.
• Marked in line with the Assessment and Feedback Policy.
• Returned to the student, once marked, by an agreed date.

• The academy expects students and staff to maintain a good work ethic during the period of remote learning.

4. Communication

• The academy will ensure adequate channels of communication are arranged in the event of an emergency.
• The academy will communicate with parents via email and the academy website about remote learning arrangements as soon as possible.
• The Headteacher will communicate with staff as soon as possible via email about any remote learning arrangements.
• Parents and students will inform the relevant member of staff (this should be the child’s House Leader in the first instance) as soon as possible if schoolwork cannot be completed.