Multi-academy trust rises to the challenge of Covid-19 safety and online learning

As schools across the nation respond to the latest lockdown measures, Eastern Learning Alliance, a multi-academy trust in East Anglia, has risen to the challenge of transitioning to remote learning and continuing face to face provision for the children of essential workers, earning praise and positive feedback from the parent communities of its five schools.

The five Eastern Learning Alliance trust schools, including Impington Village College, Chesterton Community College, Witchford Village College, Downham Market Academy and Girton Glebe Primary School, all switched to remote provision for the majority of students within 24 hours of the latest lockdown announcement, delivering a timetable of learning with such speed and efficacy that it inspired parents to share feedback including:

“I just wanted to extend a huge thank you to the Witchford teachers’ response to Lockdown #3! The introduction of an online timetable has introduced focus and structure and I know Toby has responded well to this. The focus on wellbeing during tutor time was also impressive and much needed given the news re exams and the uncertainty and anxiety this has caused. It helped to open up conversations at home. I know that everyone is juggling and I know that teachers are going above and beyond during this time, whilst also balancing their own personal circumstances. So, a huge thank you to you and the team for all that you are and will continue to do.” – Witchford Village College Parent

“The live lessons are absolutely amazing, I don’t need to be my child’s teacher this time, the teachers are there at all times throughout the lesson to support his learning which he is able to do much more independently this time, with more confidence. This is much less stress on me as a parent, and him as a child.” – Downham Market Academy Parent

“Brilliant start and very easy for students to follow via the calendar. Well done!” – Impington Village College Parent

“We are very grateful for the time and energy that all teachers have put in to their planning for online classes, and for the support and care that they have shown to the children.” – Chesterton Community College parent

To ensure as many students as possible engage in remote learning, schools across the Trust also provided the technology required to suit different needs. Students in need of devices from Downham Market Academy were provided with iPads from which to access learning every day, technology the student community is familiar with due to their frequent use in school lessons.

Parents responded with feedback including: “The use of the iPads has meant my child isn’t struggling with loading screens and lags before he can even start any work.”

Impington Village College students were provided with Chromebook laptops in order to access remote learning, and every student was surveyed to confirm whether they had the connectivity, hardware and software they needed to successfully transition to remote provision.

As well as transitioning the majority of students to remote learning, schools in the Trust have also implemented the required Covid-19 on site testing for staff, and for students who are remaining in school as they are vulnerable or the children of key workers. On site testing since the announcement has seen every staff member and student tested regularly, in a process staffed entirely by volunteers.

Lucy Scott, CEO of Eastern Learning Alliance, commented: “The way in which each school across our Trust family has risen to the challenge of the latest lockdown is nothing short of heroic. The feedback from parents praising both the collective and individual efforts of staff is fantastic to receive and I know it is going a long way to help motivate our staff as we all navigate the challenges of this time. Across our entire community of students, staff and parents, the perseverance and positivity in the face of persistently challenging circumstances has made a significant difference in our abilities to continue to deliver the best possible education for our students. We are confident that our approach to our remote learning timetable and the safety measures we have in place for those continuing face to face learning are providing our students with the best possible education the current circumstances allow, while keeping disruption to a minimum.

“We are also thrilled that our efforts so far have been recognised by the Department for Education and, by request from the Regional Schools Commissioner, we have produced some short videos on how we have implemented the safety and remote learning requirements for our students. Our hope is to share what has worked for us, so that it might help other schools at this difficult time.”

More information here and here

Press release from The Eastern Learning Alliance