Remote Learning

Introduction

The Department for Education has provided non-statutory guidance to schools on providing high-quality remote education in cases where it is not possible, or is contrary to government guidance, for some or all pupils to attend school.

Remote education is only ever considered as a last resort where a decision has already been made that attendance at school is not possible, but pupils are able to continue learning. Our aim is for work provided during periods of remote education to be high quality, meaningful, ambitious, and cover an appropriate range of subjects to enable pupils to keep on track with their education.

Department for Education Remote Learning Guidance

Prioritising attendance

Attendance is essential for pupils to get the most out of their school experience, including for their attainment, wellbeing, and wider life chances.

Remote education should not be viewed as an equal alternative to attendance in school. We will only consider remote learning as a last resort when the alternative would be no education, and only after it has been established that the pupil is, or will be, absent from school. In such cases, remote education can have the benefit of allowing absent pupils to keep on track with their education and stay connected to their teachers and peers.

We will work closely with pupils, parents, carers, and any other relevant partners such as the local authority, to remove any barriers to attendance in the first instance.

Scenarios where remote education may be considered

Circumstances where we may consider providing remote education fit into 2 broad categories:

School closures or restrictions on attendance, where school access for pupils is restricted.
Individual cases where a pupil is unable to attend school but is able to learn.

1: School closures or restrictions on attendance, where school access for pupils is restricted

We will make every effort to ensure pupils can be taught in person.

After exploring all options to ensure the school remains open to all pupils, there may still be some exceptional occasions when we decide it is not possible to open safely, or where opening would contradict guidance from local or central government. If restricting attendance for pupils is the only viable option, we will consider providing remote education to help pupils stay on track with the education they would normally receive.

2: Individual cases where a pupil is unable to attend school but is able to learn

There are very limited circumstances where a pupil is unable to attend school but is able and well enough to continue their education remotely. These circumstances should only involve a short-term absence and might include pupils:

Recovering from short-term infectious illnesses
Preparing for or recovering from some operations
Recovering from injuries where attendance might inhibit recovery

Provision of remote education is only made as a short-term solution, allowing absent pupils to keep on track with their education and stay connected to their teachers and peers. Pupils with long-term medical conditions or any other physical or mental health needs which affect attendance may need more support than the school can realistically provide to continue their education.

Working with the Local Authority

Under section 19 of the Education Act 1996 (s.19 duty) local authorities are responsible for arranging suitable education for children of compulsory school age who, because of health or other reasons, would otherwise not receive a suitable education.

Statutory guidance on education for children with health needs who cannot attend school sets out that local authorities should provide education as soon as it is clear that the child will be away from school for 15 school days or more during the school year, whether consecutive or cumulative.

The s.19 duty sits with the local authority. We will work closely with them and any relevant medical professionals to ensure children with health needs are fully supported at school, including putting in place individual healthcare plans if appropriate. This may involve, for example, programmes of study that rely on a flexible approach which include agreed periods of

Platforms and resources used

Work is set each day using the Class Charts platform.

A lesson will be posted by 8:30am for each period of that timetabled day.

This will show as a 'Blended Learning Task' rather than as a homework.

Remote education might include recorded and / or live direct teaching time, as well as time for pupils to complete tasks, reading, and assignments independently, depending on their age and stage of development. The Blended Learning Task may have a link to Microsoft TEAMS for any remote teaching or support.

Online video lessons may not necessarily be recorded by teaching staff at the school. We may make use of the high-quality lessons developed by external providers such as Oak National Academy instead of school-led video content.

We will consider carefully:

Screen time, making reasonable allowances for adequate breaks for pupils and staff during digital remote education.
Any significant demands on parents’ or carers’ help or support. Younger children, especially pupils in primary schools and some children with SEND, might require high levels of adult involvement to support their engagement with remote education, which can make it a particular challenge for these groups.

Where possible and if required, we will try to ensure equal access through the provision of printed resources, supplemented with other appropriate forms of communication between the school and pupils.

Enquiries about Remote Learning can be made by contacting admin@thomaskeble.gloucs.sch.uk

Last reviewed January 2026.