"Parents not expected to be teachers"

Monday 20 April 2020

Distance learning for children during the extended schools closure will focus on reinforcing what they have already learnt, rather than trying to teach new material.

Schools have contacted parents setting out how distance learning will work over the next five weeks, after the decision was taken to keep schools closed until the end of the coming half term.

Following that announcement last week, States Chief Executive Paul Whitfield reassured parents that teachers will be providing the lesson planning, not them, while schools will be there to help with any enquiries.

"A lot of work has gone in to ensuring that students and parents can be supported as best as possible during this time. It is important that we reassure all parents that there is no expectation you will take on the role of a teacher. There will be no set timetable that will be followed but rather teachers will provide distance learning material and activities will be completed at the times that best suit the needs of your family.

While distance learning cannot replicate a school environment, Mr Whitfield said teachers will go "above and beyond" to support students and parents through this situation.

Pictured: Education President Matt Fallaize has said the distance learning curriculum has been designed to help students work as independently as possible during the lockdown.

A guidance document has been produced and sent to parents containing more information about how distance learning will work, all the way through from early years education to post-16 provision.

It also explains the role that parents are asked to play.

"Parents are not expected to sit alongside their children while they are working and teach them. You can, however, play an important role by helping your child plan their time and encouraging, motivating and praising their efforts.

"Depending on the age of your child, you may need to help them communicate with their teacher about the work they have completed or, in the case of older children, make sure they are following the school’s instructions about how to keep in touch. Your child’s school will let you know how their teacher will share material and how this should be submitted once complete."

"We recognise that most parents/carers are not teachers and have work and many other things they have to juggle. Children will be able to do the work for that day at a time that best fits in with their household. Schools may provide suggested timetables to help support children in organising their learning but they will all understand that different families have different needs and may choose to structure their child’s study in different ways."

During the lockdown, the emphasis will be on consolidating what pupils have already learnt.

"It would be unrealistic to expect distance learning to replicate the timetable and type of activities that are provided when schools are operating under normal circumstances. There is likely to be greater emphasis on re-affirming what students have already learnt, with independent learning pitched at the right level for your child, literacy, numeracy and activities which build core knowledge being the focus.

Pictured: Education said the many benefits of children interacting and socialising together cannot be replicated through distance learning.

"It may be helpful to think of the work that your child’s teacher sets as similar to high-quality homework. It will give opportunities to revise, consolidate and practice material that has already been learnt, rather than seeking to teach much by the way of new material."

Although independent learning will play a significant part in children's education in the weeks to come, Education said they are still expected to complete the tasks that are set for them and that measures will be in place to make sure they do.

"It is expected that students will complete the work their teachers set for them. Where a school is aware that a child is not engaging with the work set, the first concern will always be for the well-being of the child and their family members. School staff will get in touch with you and your child to encourage your child to engage with the activities set or to explore with parents any barriers to participating in learning at this time.

"Keeping learners motivated will be very important, so schools will continue to recognise and praise the efforts of their children regularly. Schools will use online learning tools to enable children and young people to share the work that they have done and for teachers to respond with encouragement. Children need to understand that, even though they may not be in school all day as usual, their teachers will know if they are completing their work as required."

Pictured top: Paul Whitfield.