Home Learning

Remote Learning at PGHS

Remote Education Provision: Information for Parents

This information is intended to provide clarity to parents and carers about when home learning may be offered to pupils not attending school, and what to expect if this provision is accepted.

The Remote Curriculum

When is home learning offered?

A remote curriculum is not a substitute for face-to-face in-class learning. Research shows that young people grow, thrive and progress best when they are regularly attending school. As such, home learning is only ever considered as a last resort.

Home learning is only made available in exceptional circumstances when a pupil is well enough to learn but is unable to attend school. For example, home learning would be considered when:

A pupil is absent recovering from a medical operation;
A medical consultant or social worker has deemed it unsuitable for the child to attend school;
A pupil has received a suspension or is awaiting the outcome of a permanent exclusion;
A transition between education providers has resulted in a ‘gap’ in provision.

Please note, home learning is not available to:

Pupils on holiday (holidays and family visit should be arranged for non-term times);
Pupils absent due to illness – If a pupil is too ill to attend school, they should focus on recovery, allowing a quick return to school. Staff will support the pupil to catch-up once they have returned to lessons.
Pupils absent due to low mood / mild anxiety – Wellbeing research consistently shows that the best place for young people is in school, learning with their teachers, and socialising with their peers. School can offer a wide range of support services enabling pupils to work through their challenges in school.

Home Learning – What to expect

Home learning will only ever be offered for a predefined, temporary period of time. Home learning will be regularly reviewed, to ensure it remains appropriate for the individual. We strive to keep home learning periods as short of possible, welcoming the pupil back to school at the earliest appropriate opportunity.

The remote curriculum offered will reflect the pupil’s individual circumstances. In most cases, a bespoke reduced curriculum will be provided through consultation with the pupil, parents/cares and any professionals/external services involved. For example, a pupil receiving home education due to an ongoing health issue, may complete a remote curriculum which priorities core subjects, English and Maths.

Home learning may take numerous forms, including the provision of lesson resources (e.g. PowerPoints and worksheets, textbooks, and work booklets, as well as access to online sites (such as Sparx Maths, Bedrock, and the Oak Academy). Where appropriate, the pupil may be offered the opportunity to join lessons through Microsoft Teams. Completed work should be returned to school for marking and review by the individual’s class teachers.

Barriers to Accessing our Remote Curriculum

If your daughter is unable to access an online site required for the completion of a set task, she should email her class teacher immediately. All staff emails at PGHS follow the same structure: initial.surname@penworthamgirls.lancs.sch.uk. NB: Your daughter’s teacher will only respond to emails which have been sent from your daughter’s school email address.

We recognise that some pupils may not have suitable online access at home to complete their agreed remote curriculum. If you are unable to access work due to a lack of hardware or limited internet connection, please contact school by phoning 01772 743399 to arrange alternative provision. In some cases, school may be a position to lend the necessary equipment. When this is not possible, textbooks and printed materials will be provided.