Remote Learning

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have built a robust remote learning package, and we offer several ways for students and parents to stay connected.

Below are user guides to both Microsoft Teams, Seneca and GCSEPod.

Using Microsoft Teams

Microsoft have published a helpful guide to logging into Teams as student here.

Your log in details are your school email address and password. If you have log in issues, please see your Head of Year.

Teams is also available on many SMART TV’s, PlayStation Consoles, and XBox consoles, by selecting the internet browser from the available applications in the Apps available on the device and navigating to Microsoft Teams in the browser application. The log in process is then the same as shown above.

If you are using a mobile phone to submit homework Assignments, watch this short guide here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7HXY7uR8Q8

If you are using a laptop/desktop to submit homework Assignment, watch this short guide here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCjisF8Z4cI

Using GCSEPod

GCSEPod have published a helpful guide to using their platform here.

To log in

Go to www.gcsepod.com and click Login
Select the ‘sign in with Office 365’ button
Accept the terms and conditions, you are ready to go!

Using Seneca

Seneca is an online learning platform that helps students revise and complete assignments across a wide range of subjects, from Key Stage 3 through to A Level. Parents can create a linked account to monitor their child’s learning, track progress, and view assignments set by the school.

Getting Started

To create a parent account or log in, visit:

Seneca Learning

Once your account is linked to your child’s student account, you can access information about their study activity and progress.

What Can Parents See?

Dashboard Overview
The homepage provides a snapshot of your child’s learning activity, including:

Current and overdue assignments
Recent study activity
XP (experience points) earned
Scores achieved in learning activities and exam questions
Subject-specific study information
The ability to switch between multiple children if you have more than one linked account

Assignments
The Assignments page allows you to:

View all assignments set for your child
Check assignment deadlines
Preview the questions and activities they have been asked to complete

Reports
The Reports section provides insights into your child’s study habits and achievement, including:

Time spent studying by day and subject
Weekly comparisons to monitor progress
Average scores for individual topics
Performance trends compared with previous weeks
Need Help?
If you experience any issues with Seneca or require support, you can contact the Seneca support team:[email protected]

FAQ’s

Will my child be taught broadly the same curriculum as they would if they were in school?

We teach the same curriculum remotely as we do in school. In addition, the online learning timetable will also include a live workouts led by our PE Teachers. We believe this is important to ensure all pupils are given proper exercise. We strongly encourage all parents to take part in the live workout sessions too.

How long can I expect my child to be working remotely each day?

We expect that remote education (including remote teaching and independent work) will take pupils broadly 5 hours and 15 minutes per day.

How will my child access the remote learning being provided?

Pupils can access this platform using:

Laptop
Computer
Xbox
PS4
Smart TV
Smartphone

Each pupil login will have access to Office 365; Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc. Most work set within online lessons will be completed using the Office packages. If a pupil is unable to access a device or the Office packages, paper based work will be provided and a home learning book to complete the work.

If my child does not have internet access or a digital device, how will the school support them?

We take the following approaches to support those pupils to access remote education.

We recognise that some pupils may not have suitable online access at home. We take the following approaches to support those pupils to access remote education.

All pupils that do not have a device or internet access at home can contact us and we will do our best to provide a device. This will be prioritised in the first instance for examination year groups and SEND pupils, this will be coordinated by Mr. Hetherington, Assistant Headteacher. If you feel you require support, please contact reception.

Students who do not yet have access will be given printed information that can either be collected or posted home (please be aware that if it is posted then this may cause a delay in specific learning time).

How will you assess my child’s work and progress?

For example, whole-class feedback or quizzes marked automatically via Teams and other digital platforms are also valid and effective methods, amongst many others.

Our approach to feeding back on pupil work is as follows:

During live online lessons pupils will have the opportunity for immediate oral feedback and have the opportunity to respond through their own questions or responses to questions, just like they do in the normal school environment. Not every piece of work is formally assessed or receives feedback, but all pieces returned are used by the teacher to plan future teaching.
Activities, assignments and quizzes will be set on a regular basis to keep track of knowledge and understanding, and progress being made.
When feedback has been given electronically, it is expected that pupils respond to this feedback to inform the subject teacher of their knowledge and understanding.
Automatic marking of some tasks will also be collated and the results of this will reflect immediate feedback for each pupil.
Sometimes, we will ask students to take tests in test conditions. We ask you to encourage students to stick to this, as we need accurate information on what students have learnt. This allows us to adapt our teaching to support those who do not yet understand the work.

Students should continue to reach out to teachers for help and clarifications in their usual way of communicating with their teacher. Counselling support and learning support provision will continue.

How will you support my child if they are on the SEND register?

We recognise that some pupils, for example some with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), may not be able to access remote education without support from adults at home.

We acknowledge the difficulties this may place on families and we will work with parents and carers to support those pupils in the following ways:

If you have a student who is on our SEND register, they will have a member of the welfare team who will be in regular personal contact.

Work for these students will be suitably adapted by class teachers.

SEND students who do not have the resources at home to access materials online will be prioritised when we loan out devices for school use.

Students who receive additional support for EAL or Learning Support, will continue to do so. Each student’s provision is student specific. Please reach out to the SEND Team for any queries.