The following information for pupils and parents/carers sets out the arrangements that would apply if national or local restrictions require pupils to learn from home.

Microsoft Teams is our portal for remote learning at Garth Hill College. Teams is a digital hub that brings conversations, content, assignments, and apps together in one place, helping teachers and pupils to work in a vibrant learning community that is collaborative and connected – even if you are not physically in school.

Microsoft Teams can be accessed using the Webmail or Office 365 link on the College’s website. Once logged into Office.com, pupils can access Microsoft Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft outlook and many more Microsoft applications. From here, pupils can open Office apps in their web browser using the app launcher button (the button with nine dots) of any Microsoft Office web page.

Please email helpdesk@garthhillcollege.com should you have any problems.

Home Learning will be set on MS Teams as an assignment and can be written in the pupil’s planner.

All home learning is set on MS Teams as this allows for a better interaction and communication with pupil and teacher. Pupils can complete the work in their book, on paper, or using any Microsoft Application ensuring that all assignments are complete and submitted before clicking on the ‘Turn in’ assignment icon. Once the work is complete it should be uploaded to MS Teams using the guidance provided on this page.

Microsoft Teams classes: Every pupil will belong to a Microsoft Team for each of their classes and their tutor group. In the MS Team pupils will see the following teachers:

• Class Teacher, Head of Department, Assistant Principal
• Deputy Faculty Team Leader, Faculty Leader
• School Cover Assistant and Administrator

When setting work for pupils accessing learning remotely, teachers will:

1. Set meaningful and ambitious assignments for pupils each day in a range of subjects.
2. Provide clear and helpful explanations of new content, supported by high-quality resources.
3. Gauge how well pupils are progressing through the curriculum, using questions and other suitable tasks. Teachers will make it clear how regularly they will check work and will adjust the pace or difficulty of what is being taught in response to pupil’s progress and, where necessary, will revise material or simplify explanations to ensure pupils’ understanding.
4. Plan a programme of equivalent length to the core teaching pupils would receive in school.

Remote Learning - Accessing lessons

Where possible, pupils may join live lessons through Teams. Pupils should be available on Teams while working at home at the allocated lesson time according to the pupil timetable. If the teacher feels it would be beneficial for the pupil to access the lesson live, pupils should be ready to accept the invitation and join the lesson.

Joining a live lesson in MS Teams

1. Accept invitation and ‘Join the meeting’
2. Ensure camera and microphone is switched off.
3. Follow the Seven Habits & Behave Impeccably
4. Complete and participating work appropriately.

PUPIL EXPECTATIONS

Download and print the 'Remote Learning Checklist' to help with your remote learning.

Remote Learning Checklist

Download and print the 'Remote Learning Top Tips' to help with your remote learning.

Remote Learning Top Tips

Download and print the 'Live Learning with Microsoft Teams' to help with your remote learning.

Live Learning with Microsoft Teams

Follow The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Garth Hill College Pupils when working online in Microsoft Teams. 

1.  Attend and be punctual

2.  Wear Uniform correctly

3.  Bring all your tools for learning

4.  Behave impeccably

Online - be polite and courteous, showing respect for yourself and others as you would in a normal classroom environment. Do not post anything that is inappropriate or that you would not say in a normal classroom environment. Be respectful and contribute in a positive and productive manner.

5.  Follow instructions and rules.

Complete the work posted online to the best of your ability. When you are online with your peers and teacher, stay on topic and ask appropriate questions in line with the learning. Actively engage in the posting and online discussions in a polite and respectful way. Stay on topic, don’t be disruptive to others and be productive and helpful. Ask questions in an appropriate way and remember your ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.

6.  Be kind and helpful to others.

If someone asks a question, try to help them. Be kind and respect of other people’s differences and opinions. A virtual classroom is a professional environment. We are all in this together and it is important to support and help each other. Be courteous and kind, not posting anything you wouldn’t say in our normal classroom.

7.  Always try your very best.

Engage in the assignments, quiz, lessons that have been posted or uploaded. Attempt to complete as much of it as possible as you would do in class. Ensure you are working in an academic way and trying your best.

REMOTE ACCESS - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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:

• Pupils and staff are receiving online support where required. In addition, further information and help documentation is shared via our social media platforms and school website.
• In the event we need to use remote learning the college will use the school bulletin, website and social media, we will clearly signpost how a parent/carer can request a device if needed. Once remote learning ends, the devices will then be returned to the college.
• Paper packs can be produced by the Learning Support Centre and posted home where required. Pupils without appropriate learning resources/space would be invited to have on-site provision.
• Welfare phone calls and communication are led by staff. If pupils do struggle to submit work, it is addressed on a case by case scenario.

PRAISE AND REWARDS  

An example of the praise and rewards pupils can achieve at Garth Hill College

• Achievement points

• Positive postcards

• House awards and certificates

• Reward Letters

• Praise and celebration in the bulletin

• Positive phone calls home

MICROSOFT - USEFUL GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams - Student Quick Guide

Microsoft Teams - Parents Guide for Getting Started

Microsoft Teams - Parents Guide for Accessibility Settings

Microsoft Teams - Parents Guide for Live Lessons Meetings

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office - Installing Office software

Microsoft Office - What each program does

Microsoft Office - Accessing Office 365 from Home

Microsoft Teams - Parents Guide for Getting Started 

MICROSOFT TEAMS - TOP TIPS & USEFUL INFORMATION

Important information for pupils and parents/carers on remote learning using Microsoft Teams

We encourage all pupils to begin familiarising themselves with Microsoft Teams. The chat, posting, and video call functions will be disabled to allow teachers to support pupils in a safe and structured way. 

To help prepare for using Microsoft Teams, please take some time to watch the training links below. If you have any questions, please also read the help documents in Microsoft Teams. If you still require help and support with IT access please email helpdesk@garthhillcollege.com

For Parents/Carers:

Distance Learning with Office 365 - Guidance for Parents and Guardians

For Pupils:
Signing into Microsoft Teams - Remote Learning with Office 365 for Pupils

Working as a team: 4 short video clips - True Teamwork in Microsoft Teams

Assignments:Review Return and Turn in Assignments Using the Feedback Loop

How should my child complete and submit work?

Your child can complete the work in their book, on paper, or using any Microsoft Application. These are all free and available once you have logged into Office 365. Once the work is complete it should be uploaded to MS Teams using the guidance document below. If they are completing work on paper or in books they should upload to Microsoft Teams using the free scanner tool: Microsoft Lens, or simply take a photo and upload it.

Handing in an Assignment

SUGGESTED RESOURCES

Heads of departments have prepared some suggested resources. It is very important to acknowledge these are only suggested and if you would like to use them, revise or review some learning. It may also be that you would like to catch up on some topics. If this is the case you can find the suggested resources on the college Website. We would also like to remind you of the curriculum page on our website that holds all of the Knowledge Organisers and resources for your son / daughter to review. 

Resourced 2023-24

REMOTE LEARNING - SEND

The majority of SEND pupils will be supported in remote lessons through high quality wave 1 teaching practice. Teachers will set differentiated independent work, incorporate time within the lesson to check in with SEND learners and be available on the chat or verbally to support their independent work. Teachers will develop subject specific vocabulary and oracy which will benefit SEND learners. Teachers will endeavour to work collaboratively with parents to highlight any concerns related to SEND pupils attendance and interaction in Virtual lessons keeping the SENCo always informed. Those pupils with very high needs that are supported with an EHCP will have a bespoke package of support. This could include the following:

• Teaching Assistants joining remote lessons and then during independent tasks starting a virtual break out to support the completion of this work. 

• Regular virtual welfare sessions with a key worker to support pupils and parents with both academic and emotional concerns.

• Virtual GCSE Study Support sessions that reinforce the core subjects and develop skills related to the preparing for adulthood outcomes. 

• Opportunity to have full or part time support in accessing virtual lessons through teaching assistant support on site. 

FAQS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can my child access MS teams on our Apple computer/phone/iPad/device? MS teams can be accessed using the Webmail link on the website. Once your child has logged into Office 365, all Microsoft applications are free for use and can be found on the top left 9 dots, titled app launcher of any Microsoft Office web page.

My child is unable to access Microsoft Teams. Please watch this short guidance video: Garth Hill College Website, webmail and MS Teams Alternatively, please email helpdesk@garthhillcollege.com

Can I access the sessions on other devices? The posting facility for sessions can be accessed via a smart phone – students can download the APP and then follow the same instructions to join sessions.

How should my child complete and submit work? Your child can complete the work in their book, on paper, or using any Microsoft Application. These are all free and available once you have logged into Office 365. Once the work is complete it should be uploaded to MS Teams using the guidance document below. If they are completing work on paper or in books they should upload to Microsoft Teams using the free scanner tool: Microsoft Lens, or simply take a photo and upload it. Handing in an Assignment

Regarding the Microsoft Teams additional support timetable, does this mean there is only one teacher available to support the whole cohort at that time e.g. year 8 English is Thursday 9.15-10.15? One or two teachers are available per Team but students should email their subject teacher if they require any more support. Please remember that some teachers may be on shift in College.

If my child cannot access the support at that time, what should they do? Microsoft Teams is set up by subjects and year groups so staff who are allocated to teach a class will be available to engage with students.  The questions asked by each student are stored on the “chat” with the teacher response so that all students can access the support.

Can my child contact a member of staff at a different time to the lesson timetabled on MS teams? Staff will be available on MS Teams at different points throughout the school day.  MS teams sends a notification to the member of staff that a message has been received and staff will endeavour to respond as soon as possible. Students can also contact their teachers via email. Please note: FOR SAFEGUARDING PURPOSES, STUDENTS MUST ONLY CONTACT TEACHERS USING THEIR SCHOOL EMAIL ADDRESS.  Staff have been advised not to respond to personal email addresses.

Does my child have to attend all the timetabled live support sessions? Does my child have to be present in all of the sessions? Not necessarily. You may have an alternate schedule or still using the original school timetable.  If students need help, these are the times available to ask questions, and join the subject chat forum. We recommend students communicate as frequently as possible with their teachers.

My child is finding it very difficult to access all the workbooks/PPTs/documents being sent. As the process of home learning develops, staff are becoming more familiar with resources to support learning. All staff have been asked to ensure that work is appropriately differentiated. If this is not the case please email the class teacher who will be able to provide further support.

My child is finding it difficult to complete all of the work in the 60 minutes? As a College we have asked staff to set work which typically should last 60 minutes. Your child may take longer to complete some of the work. They should do as much as they can in 60 minutes but if they prefer to divide it into two 30-minute sessions, that may help. Assessments should be completed in line with all department assessment schedules and submitted to the teacher.

My child is finding it difficult to access the work as the content is very ‘heavy’. Are there are other resources which could be used to support the learning? Where possible, staff will reference resources other than PowerPoints workbooks to support the learning taking place. Oak Academy has provided resources nationally for all cohorts from Reception through to Year 10. They offer a variety of online lessons which can support learning: Https://www.thenational.academy/onlineclassroom ; BBC Bitesize has also relaunched its site with some excellent online resources: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize.   Please follow the work set by GHC staff as the topics available as they may not all link with our current curriculum.

My child is concerned that he/she will be in trouble if they do not complete the work. Our main priority is to support your child in accessing and engaging with the work. We will follow up to ascertain what is preventing them from accessing the work and provide support if necessary. We are very grateful to parents/carers for all the support and encouragement you are providing and understand the challenges that you may be facing. Please do let us know of any concerns by emailing your child’s Head of House or Form Tutor.

Will my child receive feedback on work completed? Where possible, activities set have included mini-quizzes and tests to ensure that students receive immediate feedback. Some PowerPoints will also include answers so that students can self-assess. Longer project activities and the work set in line with assessment schedules will have deadline dates and feedback will be provided when these are submitted. Some tasks will have specific submission dates so that staff can feedback. This will be dependent on the subject. Staff would be very happy to receive photos of work to review, although there is a free scanning app which could support this (Microsoft Office Lens - PDF Scanner). Only assessment in line with the schedules will have particular feedback in the form of WWW and Go green activities set. All other work submitted will be acknowledged.

How often should my child log onto MS Teams? All students should observe the MS teams additional support timetable for the year group and aim to be available for these sessions. Students can log on at any time during the school hours of 9:00-3:00 if they want to post to a member of staff and ask for help. Staff receive a notification a message has been sent and will know to respond.

How can my child submit work on MS teams? Guidance on how to submit work on MS teams can be found at the following link and the ‘how to’ video' link can be found in the bulletin dated Friday 15.05.20.