Remote learning policy

Rationale

Hope is an integrated service which combines both Surrey County Council and Surrey and Borders Partnership National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust Policies and Procedures. As issues arise the response process to be followed will be that of the most appropriate organisation. The Hope Service Manager is to be contacted in the first instance and will direct the query to ensure the appropriate application of policies and procedures of each organisation.

What is remote learning?

There are different definitions of remote learning. However, in the Ofsted Guidance 'What's working well in remote education' (January 2021) they identify the following for use:

  • A broad term encompassing any learning that happens outside the classroom, with the teacher not present in the same location as the pupils
  • Digital remote learning: often known as online learning
  • Blended learning: a mix of face to face and remote methods

Attendance expectations

The Hope Service is a multi-agency service for young people aged 11 to 18 who are experiencing complex mental health, emotional, social and behavioural needs which could cause a placement breakdown or may require a psychiatric hospital admission.

Due to the high levels of need and the vulnerability of each young person, the expectation is that the young people will continue to attend and work face to face with the staff team of social workers, nurses, teachers, psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists and activity workers.

Teacher Absence

Where a teacher is absent from the day programme due to sickness, the young person will be reallocated to other staff and activities or education sessions as per usual.

Non-attendance in the day programme

Please refer to our attendance policy for further information regarding how we support young people to attend the day programme.

Remote Learning

The Ofsted Guidance 'What's working well in remote education' (Jan 2021) refers to some unhelpful myths about remote education which include the following:

  • The best forms of remote education are digital
  • The best way to deliver remote education is always through live lessons

For those young people who cannot attend the day programme, a variety of options are available to support their learning at home. These include;

  • Bespoke work emailed, posted or delivered home
  • Workbooks (for example, Functional Skills) emailed, posted or delivered home
  • Scope for email, phone or Teams calls to discuss work
  • Suggested websites to access for subject specific learning (See Appendices 1-3)
  • Learning discussions and reviews through phone calls and email

Due the nature of the young people who are referred into, and attend, the day programme our remote learning offer is determined by what will work best and what is safest for each young person. For some of the young people, a live session does not work well due to their levels of anxiety, vulnerability and the pressure of it being one to one. Staff will liaise with young people and their parents and carers to ensure they are delivered learning materials and input, in the way that works best for them.

The Hope Service will work in conjunction with young peoples home schools to ensure that suitable remote learning is offered through both or one provision, taking into account what is suitable for each young person.

Site closure

In the event of one or both day programmes closing for a period of time, with young people unable to access the building(s), teachers will communicate with each young person they teach on the days that they would teach them. This will be through phone calls and / or TEAMS calls as appropriate to discuss work that has been set, to review and feedback on work that has been completed.

TEAMS calls

If a young person requests a 'live' session, and teaching staff feel it is safe to do so, this will be offered as a short catch up conversation about the work that has been set and it will take place at a mutually convenient time. Before a live session takes place, the following will be agreed with the young person and their parents/carers:

  • There is an appropriate space for the young person to access during the call
  • The young person does not need to use the video function during the call
  • If the young person wishes to use the video function, they must select an appropriate background
  • The young person does not record or take photographs during the call
  • Parents / carers do not appear on the camera
  • All live sessions between teachers and young people will be recorded for safeguarding purposes

Staff remain sensitive to the difficulties faced by some young people working at home and they monitor the quantity of work that they are sending home and the amount that is completed. The amount of work is then adjusted accordingly each week.

Access to Laptops

When a young person starts in the day programme staff check whether they have access to a computer or a laptop and WIFI at home to access remote learning if necessary. Where there is no access to a laptop or computer at home suitable alternative arrangements will be put in place.

How much work will be set?

Teachers will set work which will be the equivalent length to the education that each young person would receive in the day programme each week. Their main education provider is expected to do the same for the days that they are not allocated to attend the day programme.

Support for young people not coming into the day programme

There is an agreed and coordinated approach to contacting the young people who are unable to come into the day programme. Staff are aware of the number of different professionals who may be involved with each young person and that too much contact can be overwhelming.

Teachers

Teachers ensure that on their allocated days in the day programme, the young people have work that can be accessed at home and will follow up with an email, phone call or a Teams call to discuss the work that has been set and to feedback on the work that has been completed, if this appropriate.

Where work has not been attempted, the teacher will work with the young person and their Care Coordinator to see what additional support they need or to offer alternative work that might engage them. Teachers also liaise with the main education provider to ensure that they are not doubling up on work set or putting too much pressure on the young person.

Care Coordinators

Care Coordinators will continue to contact the young person at least once a week with outreach visits. Contact can also be made virtually or via phone contact, if appropriate. This contact focuses upon assessing and managing risk, ensuring support is in place and speaking to parents and carers as well as the young person.

Keyworkers

Keyworkers may also contact any young person that should be in the day programme. They will seek to speak with the young person or the parent / carer to 'check in' and may offer a virtual session and share activities that can be done at home

Therapists

Therapists will contact each young person and their parents / carers to determine how best to deliver sessions remotely. Although most sessions are likely to be offered through TEAMS, some may be offered over the phone.

What if there is no response when trying to communicate with a young person, or their family, who is not attending the day programme?

The Care Coordinator will liaise with the professional network to establish whether there has been another professional who has contacted the young person or their parents / carers and to confirm that they have not been able to establish contact. They will then write to the parents/ carers expressing concerns about the lack of contact and confirm that they will be completing an outreach visit.

Appendix 1

Oak National Academy Over 10,000 free lessons and resources covering a wide range of subjects up to Year 11

Appendix 2

English websites

Key Stage 3 (KS3)

KS3 English BBC Bitesize - A range of resources with explanations/revision of key skills along with mini-tests you can do, plus video and more:

  • Analysing fiction and non-fiction texts
  • Writing fiction and non-fiction texts
  • SPaG (spelling, punctuation and grammar)
  • Shakespeare
  • Poetry
  • Reading and writing skills

IXL English - Online English practice - Activities from phonics and reading comprehension to writing strategies and more, for reception age up to Year 13. Go up or down the different years to find what you need. This could be a great way to revise, or to catch up on some skills you might have missed.

Key Stage 4 (KS4)

GCSE English Language - AQA - BBC Bitesize - Lots of good resources and learning activities (including quizzes) for GCSE English Language:

  • Analysing fiction and non-fiction texts
  • Comparing texts
  • Writing fiction and non-fiction texts
  • SPaG (spelling, punctuation and grammar)

GCSE English Literature - BBC Bitesize - check which exam board you are doing and make sure you know which texts you are doing!

Seneca - Learn 2x Faster (senecalearning.com) - Explanations, activities and mini-tests on key terms, language techniques – plus resources designed specifically for Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Functional Skills

English for adults - BBC Teach - A collection of resources designed to improve English skills, including sections on reading, writing, spelling, word grammar, sentence grammar and speaking and listening. Aimed at adults but suitable for KS4.

Adult Literacy, Functional English, and GCSE Resources, Skills workshop - Downloadable resources aimed at Functional Skills reading and writing – scroll down to browse through what's available.

Spelling and Grammar (SPaG)

In addition to the SPaG sections on the websites listed already, try the following:

Grammar and punctuation | Why improve your understanding of grammar and punctuation? (blackboard.com). These explanations and activities for spelling, punctuation and grammar are aimed at degree level students so they are probably best suited for KS4 students or those who are reasonably confident already in English. Use the menu on the left to explore.

Other websites

Audible, an Amazon company Audible say: 'For as long as schools are closed, we're open. Right now, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across eight different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. Explore the collection, select a title and start listening.'

BBC Sounds Audiobooks - Free audiobooks (you can also search for podcasts which may be of interest).

BorrowBox - Access to free e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks via your Surrey library account.

BookTrust - Free online books and videos, play games, win prizes, test your knowledge in book-themed quizzes, or even learn how to draw some of your favourite characters. Suitable for younger people up to and including KS3.

The World of David Walliams - If you're looking for some exciting activities to keep boredom at bay, then try this site with 'a treasure trove of fantastic activities, all inspired by David Walliams' tremendous tales.'

Authorfy - Authorfy brings readers and writers closer together through exciting author videos, creative resources, downloadable book extracts and more. (free but you need to sign up).

LitFilmFest - Daily videos, writing challenges plus home learning projects for up to KS3.

Open Culture - a huge range of resources and courses (more suitable for older teens) on all sorts of topics available for free.

Appendix 3

Maths websites

These websites are ideas for maths activities and learning for you to access at home. Most of them are free, although you (or an adult) may have to register on the site to gain access. The sites, where there may be a charge, have a note highlighted in red.

Key Stage 3 (KS3)


UK IXL - Maths Year 7,8 and 9 topics. If these are too tricky go back and revisit earlier years to revise your knowledge and skills and build your confidence.

You can answer 10 free questions a day but may have to sign up and pay for membership for more access.

Corbett Maths - Choose a topic you know you need to work on. Watch the video. Have a go at the textbook questions and the practice test questions.

5 A Day – GCSE 9 to 1

Look at the Numeracy (grade 1,2,3) and Foundation
In the More section look at the Conundrums – this gives a daily puzzle for you to think about – challenge yourself and have a go.

Seneca Learning Maths KS3. Choose a topic you know you need to work on. The site gives a short tutorial and then some practice questions. Maths Times Tables. Choose the table you need to practice and it gives a selection of questions

University of Cambidge, NRich Try the activities for Secondary Students. Choose the appropriate age range games.

  • Practical activities – 208 to explore
  • Investigations – More than 200 to try out
  • Real World – 61 different tasks

BBC Bitesize KS3 Maths. Have a look at the topics and choose something you know you need to work on. Watch the videos and tutorials, revise and take the tests.

National Numeracy Challenge Good for Functional Skills. This site is aimed at adults who need to develop and improve the basic maths skills. You need to be aged 13 or above to use it and will need an adult to login for you. In the Improve your Maths section there are resources on number, operations and calculations, shape space and measures and handling information. There are links to external sites and you can rate the resources. There is also a link to harder resources.

BBC Teach Good for Functional Skills. This site has some good skills exercises and activities for those of you working on Functional Skills or who want to improve your everyday maths skills and knowledge. There are areas on:

  • Number
  • Calculation
  • Percent and Fractions
  • Measuring
  • Shapes
  • Graphs

Key Stage 4 (KS4)

IXL Maths Maths Year 10 and 11 topics. If these are too tricky go back and revisit years 7, 8 and 9 to revise your knowledge and skills and build your confidence. You can answer 10 free questions a day but may have to sign up and pay for membership for more access.

Corbett Maths Videos and Worksheets. Choose a topic you know you need to work on. Watch the video. Have a go at the textbook questions and the practice test questions. 5 a Day, GCSE 9 – 1.

Look at the appropriate level for you:

  • Numeracy (grades 1,2,3)
  • Foundation (grades 3,4)
  • Foundation Plus (grades 3,4,5)
  • Higher (grades 6,7)
  • Higher Plus (grades 8 and 9)

In the More section look at the Conundrums. This gives a daily puzzle for you to think about. Challenge yourself and have a go.
Also in this section there are practice papers with worked solutions which you may find useful.

On maths you can select the level paper you want to work on Foundation or Higher and work through papers or you can choose a topic and explore that. There are Demon papers that will really challenge you and Mini mocks that you may find useful. Explore the site and try some of the activities.

Seneca Learning Select the appropriate GCSE board for you. There is an extensive range , you can work through the topics on each one.

  • Maths AQA GCSE Foundation
  • Maths AQA GCSE Higher
  • Maths Edexcel GCSE Foundation
  • Maths Edexcel GCSE Higher

University of Cambridge, NRich Try the activities for Secondary Students and choose the appropriate age range games. Explore the topics on Mathematical Thinking:

  • Practical activities – 208 to explore
  • Investigations – More than 200 to try out
  • Real World – 61 different tasks and lots more

BBC Bitesize KS4 GCSE Maths. Have a look at the topics and choose something you know you need to work on.
Watch the videos and tutorials, revise and take the tests.

Maths Bot Explore a range of GCSE resources on the site.

  • GCSE Exam Style Questions You can choose your tier and topic and it will generate questions for you
  • GCSE Recall and Recap
  • GCSE Revision Grid – enables you to create grid of revision questions on topics of your choice
  • GCSE Skills Test
  • Practice GCSE Papers – enables you to create papers of mixed or topic specific questions
  • Retrieval Facts – questions to test your knowledge – set the level and number of questions

National Numeracy Challenge Good for Functional Skills. This site is aimed at adults who need to develop and improve the basic maths skills. You need to be 13 or above to use it and will need an adult to login for you. In the Improve your Maths section there are resources on number, operations and calculations, shape space and measures and handling information. There are links to external sites and you can rate the resources. There is also a link to harder resources.

Revision maths Click on the GCSE revision section. This gives you a list of topics to explore with explanations, examples and videos. There are also links to past papers and revision tips.

BBC Teach This site has some good skills exercises and activities for those of you working on Functional Skills or want to improve your everyday maths skills and knowledge. There are areas on:

  • Number
  • Calculation
  • Percent and Fractions
  • Measuring
  • Shapes
  • Graphs

Just for fun

  • Maths is fun Try exploring this site. It gives you a broad range of games, puzzles and activities.
  • BBC, Radio 4 Today This site gives you a range of brainteaser puzzles that you might enjoy exploring.

Other sites you may find useful:

  • Coolmath Also has a maths dictionary and links to lots of maths games too.
  • Murderous Maths Loads of great maths puzzles and facts to explore.

Appendix 4

Further websites for use with remote learning and home study.

Below is a selection of the best subject based websites:

Initial policy: January 2021

Next review: January 2025

Key person: J Roberts