At Red Balloon Worthing, we are committed to ensuring that learners can continue to access appropriate education if they are unable to attend in person.
Remote education may be put in place when face-to-face learning is temporarily not possible. The arrangements will be appropriate to the individual learner and their circumstances, with communication maintained between learners, families and the Red Balloon Worthing team.
When remote education may be provided
Remote education may be considered in circumstances including:
- An unexpected school closure
- Severe weather or other circumstances that prevent learners from attending safely
- A medical absence where a learner is well enough to continue with some education but is unable to attend in person
- Other exceptional circumstances where attendance on site is temporarily not possible
The provision offered will take account of the individual circumstances and needs of each learner.
Accessing learning remotely
Learners and parents/carers will be given clear information about how learning will be accessed and what is expected.
Depending on the circumstances and the needs of the learner, remote learning may be provided through Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, email and/or other appropriate online learning platforms and resources.
Any necessary links, login information and instructions will be provided directly to learners and their parents or carers.
What learners can expect
Remote education will aim to provide meaningful and manageable learning that supports continued progress.
Provision may include:
- Live or online lessons where appropriate
- Independent learning activities and tasks
- Assignments with clear instructions and deadlines
- Resources to support learning away from the classroom
- Regular contact with members of the Red Balloon Worthing team
Learners are expected to engage with the remote education provided wherever they are able to do so. Attendance and engagement will be monitored, with any concerns discussed with the learner and their parent or carer.
Support for learners
We recognise that learners may need additional support to access education remotely.
If a learner experiences difficulties with a device, internet access, login details or an online learning platform, parents and carers should contact the Red Balloon Worthing team so that we can identify appropriate support.
Where available and appropriate, this may include support with technology, access to devices or alternative arrangements for completing learning.
Support for learners with SEND
Remote education will take account of each learner’s individual needs.
For learners with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), reasonable adaptations will be made to remote learning wherever required. This may include adapted resources, additional guidance, changes to the amount or format of work provided and individual contact or support.
Where a learner has an existing individual support arrangement, we will consider how this can best be maintained during a period of remote education.
Feedback and assessment
Learners will be given clear instructions about how and when work should be completed and submitted.
Teachers will review submitted work and provide appropriate feedback within a reasonable timescale. Feedback may be provided through the relevant learning platform, by email, during an online lesson or through individual contact.
Engagement with remote learning will be monitored so that we can identify where a learner may need further encouragement, support or an alternative approach.
Safeguarding and online safety
The safety and wellbeing of our learners remains our priority during periods of remote education.
Learners are expected to follow the same standards of appropriate behaviour online as they would when attending Red Balloon Worthing in person. This includes using online platforms responsibly, respecting others and following guidance around online safety.
Parents, carers and learners should report any safeguarding or online safety concerns to Red Balloon Worthing as soon as possible, in line with our safeguarding procedures.
Related policies
Further information can be found in the following policies:
- Remote Education Policy
- Online Safety Policy
- Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
- Behaviour Policy
These documents should be read alongside our Remote Education Arrangements and are available within the Policies section of our website.
Keeping this information up to date
Our remote education arrangements are reviewed regularly to ensure that the information provided to learners, parents and carers remains current, accessible and appropriate.
If you have any questions about remote education or require support accessing learning, please contact Red Balloon Worthing.