Botley School Remote Learning Plan

This document outlines Botley School's remote learning plan, which has been reviewed and is detailed in the PDF below:

Remote Learning Q&A
 

What are Botley School's aims for remote learning during restrictions?

Our aims are to:

• Provide meaningful and ambitious daily assignments across various subjects.
• Set work equivalent in length to in-school teaching, a minimum of 4 hours daily (average) for primary pupils.
• Deliver frequent, clear explanations of new content via teachers, high-quality resources, or videos.
• Monitor pupil engagement weekly and promptly inform parents of any concerns.
• Assess pupil progress through questions and tasks, providing feedback at least weekly, using digital or whole-class methods.
• Enable teachers to adjust teaching pace and difficulty based on pupil understanding.
   

What is the aim for remote learning feedback at Botley?

While the DfE recommends weekly feedback, Botley aims to maintain class-based teaching (whether at school or home), providing daily live feedback during the two timetabled remote sessions. We will adapt the usual curriculum for remote learning to minimise learning disruption.
 

What are the home learning arrangements?

Your child's learning will be assigned, and work should be submitted daily via their Teams classroom. Teachers will set daily English, Maths, topic, and PE work. Paper-based work can be photographed or scanned and uploaded.

Who is responsible for providing home learning?

Class teachers are responsible for tasks, learning, and feedback. However, due to staffing for vulnerable children and critical workers, another teacher or teaching assistant from the same year group may provide feedback.

What if my child cannot access Teams during live sessions?

Recorded sessions will be posted on the class Teams page. Children can ask questions via the 'reply' thread. Contact your class teacher for specific difficulties.

What if my child cannot complete work during normal school hours?

Pupils should aim to follow the timetable, but flexibility is understood. Inform your class teacher when your child can submit work. Feedback will be provided as soon as possible.

How will my child with Special Educational Needs be supported?

Pupils with identified needs or EHC plans have been offered a school place. For those at home, additional face-to-face support with teaching assistants will be provided remotely, organised by our SENDco and class teachers. Contact the school if you haven't received information about these sessions.

Will there be live lessons?

Formal live lessons (as in secondary schools) will not be conducted due to:

• Varying access to devices and home support.
• Device sharing among siblings.
• Teachers also working from home.
• Younger children's concentration spans.

Instead, teachers will provide live input during 30-minute morning sessions and further feedback in shorter afternoon sessions, using resources from White Rose, Oak Academy, and the BBC.
 

Will work be uploaded to the class website?

No, this would duplicate workload. Teams is accessible through a browser for those who can access the website.
 

How will the school contact pupils learning from home?

Teachers will contact pupils daily via Teams. A register of non-attendees at live sessions will be kept, and families will be contacted directly.
 

Who do I contact with Teams access difficulties?

Email or call the school office for technical assistance.
 

Can parents contact the class teacher?

Yes, email the teacher using their year group email or support your child in asking a question on the Teams 'reply' thread.
 

Will the school provide laptops?

Following FOBS fundraising and DfE laptops, devices are available for loan. Contact the school office if you need one.
 

What if we don't have broadband, and mobile data is insufficient?

Schools can apply for increased mobile data. Contact the school to explore this option.

Botley's Remote Learning Strategy

Botley has a remote learning strategy using Microsoft Teams for Years 1-6 and Tapestry for Early Years. Teachers have trained children on using Teams and all homework from Years 1-6 was set on Teams. Learning materials are on class pages. See the Microsoft Teams page (Parents section) for support: [Click Here]

When will remote learning be used?

Whole-class remote learning will be on Teams if a class is sent home or the school is in lockdown. Individual families isolating will receive learning resources via the website or Teams.

Creating a Positive Home Learning Environment

• Be realistic: You're not expected to be a teacher. Provide structure. Experiment and involve your children. Prioritise wellbeing.
• Keep to a timetable: Create a routine. Involve children in timetable planning. Be flexible. Differentiate between weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Exercise and breaks: Aim for daily physical exercise (at least an hour for primary children). Use the garden or go out once a day (if permitted).
• Other activities: Include creative time, writing, reading with grandparents (remotely), chores, cooking, and agree on screen time.

Establishing a routine can be challenging but becomes easier with shared expectations.

Mindfulness and Wellbeing

Check class pages for mindful activities. Talk to each other about concerns.

Contact us at with any questions.