Remote Education Information
At Churnet View Middle School, we believe that pupils learn best through regular attendance at school. Face-to-face teaching remains the most effective way for pupils to access high-quality education, pastoral support and wider school experiences.
Remote education is therefore only considered in exceptional circumstances where attendance at school is not possible and a pupil is well enough to engage with learning.
Remote education is not viewed as an alternative to school attendance and will normally form part of a short-term plan to support a pupil's return to full-time education as soon as possible.
When Remote Education May Be Used
Remote education will only be considered in exceptional circumstances where attendance at school is not possible and a pupil is well enough to engage with learning.
This may include circumstances where:
- a pupil is recovering from a short-term illness but is well enough to complete learning activities;
- a pupil is recovering from an operation or injury;
- exceptional circumstances temporarily prevent attendance at school;
- wider disruption affects access to school.
Any decision to provide remote education will be made on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the individual circumstances, the likely duration of absence and the capacity to provide meaningful educational support.
Remote education is not an automatic entitlement when a pupil is absent from school and should not be regarded as an alternative to attendance.
School Closure and Emergency Arrangements
In the event that the school is required to close, or restrict attendance due to adverse weather, an emergency situation or other unforeseen circumstances, the school will communicate with parents and carers using Arbor and the school website.
Where appropriate, learning materials may be provided through Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365, email or the school website to support pupils in continuing their learning whilst school is closed.
The nature and extent of any work provided will depend on the circumstances and duration of the closure. Provision during short-term emergency closures may differ from arrangements made for individual pupils who are unable to attend school.
Supporting Learning During Short-Term Absence
Where a pupil is absent for a short period due to illness, medical treatment or other exceptional circumstances, the school may provide access to learning materials where appropriate.
This may include:
- lesson resources;
- curriculum materials;
- reading activities;
- independent study tasks;
- work that can be completed at home and returned to school;
- access to existing online learning platforms.
The nature and extent of any support will depend on the circumstances and length of absence.
The school is not ordinarily able to replicate the full classroom experience or provide parallel timetabled teaching for pupils who are absent from school.
Attendance and Remote Education
Attendance at school remains the expectation for all pupils unless they are unable to attend for a valid reason.
Remote education is not an alternative to attendance at school and will not routinely be provided to support avoidable absence.
In particular, the school will not routinely provide remote learning, lesson-by-lesson work or a parallel curriculum for pupils who are absent due to:
- family holidays taken during term time;
- unauthorised absence;
- optional activities during the school day;
- situations where attendance at school remains reasonably possible.
Parents and carers should not assume that work will be provided when a pupil is absent from school.
Where remote education is considered appropriate, this will be determined by the school on a case-by-case basis and will usually relate to exceptional circumstances where attendance is not possible but the pupil remains well enough to engage with learning.
What Pupils Can Expect
Where remote education is required, the school will seek to provide learning which:
- follows the curriculum being taught in school wherever possible;
- enables pupils to continue making progress in their learning;
- includes meaningful and appropriately challenging work;
- provides opportunities for feedback from staff;
- supports pupils to remain connected to their learning and the wider school community.
The exact arrangements will vary according to the nature and length of absence and the individual needs of the pupil.
Accessing Learning
The school may provide support through a range of approaches including:
- Microsoft Teams;
- Microsoft 365 and online assignments;
- teacher-prepared resources;
- reading materials;
- independent study activities;
- printed learning materials where appropriate.
Where families experience difficulties accessing learning materials, they should contact the school so that appropriate support can be discussed.
Support for Pupils with SEND
Regular attendance at school is particularly important for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), who often benefit from consistent routines, specialist support, structured interventions and opportunities for social interaction that are difficult to replicate outside of school.
The school will work closely with pupils, parents and carers, outside agencies and, where appropriate, the Local Authority to identify and remove barriers to attendance wherever possible.
Where remote learning is provided, reasonable adjustments will be considered in order to support access to learning. Any such arrangements will be tailored to the individual needs of the pupil and will ordinarily form part of a plan to support their return to full-time attendance at school.
Safeguarding and Online Safety
The safety and wellbeing of pupils remain our highest priority.
Any remote education provided by the school will operate in line with the school's safeguarding procedures, online safety expectations and acceptable use arrangements.
Parents and carers are encouraged to support safe and responsible use of technology when learning from home.
Remote Learning Pupil Code of Conduct
Further Information
If a pupil requires remote education or a family requires support in accessing learning materials, please contact the school office:
Email: cvm.office@ttlt.org.uk
Telephone: 01538 384939
