Remote Learning Programme in Full Swing – Wellington School
09 Jul 2020
The new term started today at Wellington School and, as much as is possible during these remarkable times, it was very much “business as usual” for pupils and staff.
Wellington’s Remote Learning Programme is off to a flying start and pupils were at their desks in a virtual tutor meeting, watching Headmaster Eugene du Tout deliver his morning assembly at 8.45. Many were wearing uniform or suits!
“A love of learning, in all its forms and settings, is one of three critical strands which informs the educational philosophy of Wellington School. Moving from learning in classrooms to learning at home has tested our collective ability to respond to new and unforeseen challenges, and I am immensely proud of everyone’s response to these challenges,” commented Eugene du Toit.
The last week of term presented the School with the opportunity to trial systems, software and processes. Once term ended, questionnaires were completed by parents, students and teaching staff, and that feedback confirmed that a lot went well, and offered valuable insights into what could be changed and improved. The feedback revealed that 95% of parents were happy with the School’s response to COVID-19.
Teachers carefully considered pupil and parent feedback and overlaid it onto their own experience of delivering content remotely, keeping children engaged, offering support and challenge as required and assessing progress. The whole community has learned with and from one another and remote learning has been refined and honed to provide effective teaching and learning, interaction and enjoyment.
Wellington School pupils of all ages have a full remote learning programme in place. The timetable is stuck to during the day, but lessons have been slightly shortened to allow pupils to leave their screens and have a break. Teachers are aware the pupils and parents want as much ‘live’ interaction with staff as possible and Microsoft Teams will be the preferred learning platform, supported by Firefly and Microsoft Stream.
Mr du Toit continued, “a detailed booklet has been produced and distributed, which clarifies how learning will progress during the summer term. We are all finding our way and there will be setbacks and opportunities for improvement as we move forward. I hope, however, that the guidance offered will demonstrate that we have given considerable thought to how we can best support parents and pupils while the School is closed.
We understand that working and learning from home can be stressful, we recognise the importance of clarity, variety and feedback on progress, we appreciate that maintaining the structure of the day is very helpful and we understand that ‘live’ interaction with teachers and the pastoral team is central to both parents and pupils feeling supported.
We do not know when normality will return, but everyone at Wellington School is deeply committed to working together in meeting the challenges we face head on, and I know that we will all emerge as strong and united as ever” Mr du Toit concluded.