Online learning

We are proud to announce that we are about to embark on our Distance Learning / Remote Learning Programme. We are being risk takers and are trying something new and we want you to try it too.

Each class teacher will oversee a range of tasks and activities for each of the Lower School classes. These will be set at the start of each week. The work shared will cover a typical week and will include a broad range of curriculum linked activities. The work will be set from Monday - Friday (although just 2 days in the first instance - 19th & 20th March)

The students from each class will be expected to work through these tasks whilst at home, and their teacher will be available between 9am and 10am each school day to support our students and parents with any questions/concerns and queries they may have. Our teachers will be available to monitor, review, reinforce and support learning throughout the school week. 

Please note that the learning and delivery will look slightly different in each year group and the distance learning engagements may look different for different children.

In Early Years (KG1, 2 and R) the learning engagements will be shared as a group email of tasks, experiences and activities. 

In Year 1 and 2 a Google Document will be shared that will list the learning engagements, resources and activities that the students will need to complete across the week. 

In Year 3, 4, 5  and 6 a Google Document will be shared that will list the learning engagements, resources and activities that the students will need to complete across the week. Some of these learning engagements will be shared through Google Classroom as well as other platforms to deliver and support learning. 

The majority of tasks will be accessed online and will be electronic. We will be providing chromebooks for those children that require an internet ready computer and a power supply. To help with the balance of activities we will also be providing books for children to work in for their written, mathematical or creative tasks.  

Our EAL and Quest children will get bespoke paper packs to assist with their progress and each Quest / EAL teacher will also be available each day between 9am and 10am initially via email. 

We have sent your child home with passwords that they might need to access some of this learning ie Mathletics, Bug Club passwords. Please do contact your child’s class teacher if you are experiencing any problems accessing these. We have also attached a ‘How to Guide to accessing Google Classroom’ for both students and parents in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 to support this access at home.

For many this is a new way of learning - and after a few days we will be sending a survey out to parents and their children to collect feedback and to see what improvements could be made in the future.

Kind regards and good luck,

Mr Parkin 

Lower School Principal

Remote learning plans in the event of an Upper School closure

In the event that the Upper School has to close, learning will continue via existing Dwight School London online learning platforms. This can include a combination of email, Google Meet, Google Classroom and Managebac. 

How will I be kept up to date with further developments during a school closure?

The school will communicate weekly about any further updates pertaining to a school closure, as well as school news. This will take the form of the usual weekly bulletin, but could also include letters sent from Ms Cobbin, Head of School.

What will online learning look like for my child?

In the event of a school closure the Upper School will move to its online learning procedures. This will take the form of both synchronous (instruction and learning that occur at the same time, but not in the same place) and asynchronous (instruction and learning that do not occur in the same place or at the same time) learning through our learning platforms, primarily within the Google suite of tools including Google Classroom and Google Meet. Students will have at least one synchronous lesson a week with their teacher via Google Meet, and then the other lessons will be work and projects set on Google Classroom or through Managebac. 

Will my child be on a screen most of the week?

No, this is not the intention of remote learning. Students will need to be on a screen for their synchronous video lessons, but then have the ability to show good self-management skills and manage their tasks over the course of the week. Teachers will be available at all times following their usual weekly lesson schedule. We urge our students to break up the week with non screen related activities such as reading, exercise (outdoor and indoor), yoga, colouring, meditative practices (explore calm.com or headspace.com), puzzles or other such activities. 

Which lessons will be synchronous and how will my child know when to attend?

Please refer to this document to view the lessons that will be synchronous during the weekly schedule. Students will be invited to these lessons via Google Calendar, email or through their Google Classroom sites. There may be times when different groups of students in the same class are invited to different Google Meet sessions, as smaller numbers of students during these sessions may be deemed preferable for teachers. 

How will the daily/weekly schedule run?

Students' weekly schedule will run as close to how it normally would, but students have agency to manage their tasks, workload and time for lessons that are not scheduled to be live videos. Students will need to be present for all video lessons that they are invited to.

Will teachers be available?

Absolutely! Teachers will be available during the working week as they usually are and can be contacted via email. Teachers will be live online during those times when a lesson is usually scheduled so that they can answer any student questions or be able to chat to them if there are any issues. For example:

Monday, P3 - Synchronous Video Lesson

Wednesday, P6 - Asynchronous Google Classroom/Managebac work with live teacher availability

Thursday, P1 - Asynchronous Google Classroom/Managebac work with live teacher availability

What is Google Classroom and how does it work?

Google Classroom is a web-based learning environment used by teachers and students to help organise day-to-day tasks, communication, and foster greater collaboration. Work can be set on Google Classroom and, when logged into Google Classroom, students can collaborate with their peers and teachers. Google Classroom offers a digital safe space for students to view class announcements, access posted course content, view posted assignments, and turn in completed work. Work is set via assignments and then submitted to be marked and to get feedback on. Teachers can also see the work a student is doing and add feedback to help them. Classes have message boards under each assignment where students can ask specific questions if they are stuck

What are Google Meets?

Google Meet, also known as Google Hangout, is a video conferencing tool that enables users to make video calls with up to 30 users per high-definition video meeting. This allows users to join pre-scheduled meetings from calendar events, choose a link, enter meeting code and even dial in from their phones if the invitation includes a phone number. Google Meet integrates with all Google Suite versions of Google Calendar and Gmail and shows the complete list of participants and scheduled meetings. It shows a "join" button for users to connect to the meeting and provides options to mute and turn off the video during the meeting.

Will I be able to see what work they are getting?

You can ask your child to log into their Google account and show you their Google Classroom. Under each class you will be able to see the assignments that are due. You can also ask them to log into their Google Calendar which will show the assignments that have due dates and scheduled Hangout calls. We are considering the possibility of adding parents to each Google Classroom so that you receive weekly updates on whether your child has successfully kept up with the work set, as well as what grades or feedback they have received.

What about assessment and feedback?

As is normal practice at Dwight School London, Upper School students will be provided with ongoing feedback on their work and learning. Assessment tasks may still be assigned by teachers and assessment is always an ongoing process. The work done during times of a school closure will contribute to students’ final grades. Through Google Meet students will be able to share presentations and orally contribute to lessons and this will be part of the assessment process. 

What will communication with parents and students be like during a school closure? 

Communication between parents, students and teachers will still occur primarily using email. 

How will the school cater to my child’s pastoral needs?

Your child’s tutor will still be available for any pastoral concerns, as will members of our pastoral team. Tutor time will happen at least once during the week using Google Meet. If for any reason your child requires emotional support during these times our in school counselor Ms Jackie Rogers, will be available for remote sessions pending availability in her schedule. Parents or students should reach out directly to Ms Rogers (jrogers@dwightlondon.org)

Will EAL and Quest sessions still happen?

Yes they will. Students 1:1 or small group learning will still take place. If your child is in EAL or Quest then they will receive invites to a Google Meet with their respective Quest or EAL teacher. If your child receives Quest support, you will hear from your child’s Quest teacher regarding their personalized schedule. Important note: if your child is having a 1:1 session this will be recorded by the teacher or the teacher/student will have another person in the room with them. This is important as it aligns with our safeguarding policies and practices.

What resources will my child need to be successful at online learning?

Your child will need any subject specific textbooks and workbooks that they usually make use of in class, as well as any general school supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils etc. For effective remote learning to occur students will need a good internet connection, their Laptop and a set of headphones.

What are the expectations for students during remote learning?

The expectations for video lessons will be the same as if the lessons were happening in class. We expect Dwight School students to always be principled and act with respect and integrity at all times. Students should make sure that they are participating in sessions, that they have a quiet space to work in and are in appropriate dress code. Students should mute their microphone during these video lessons, but feel free to join in with the class and fully participate. Registers will be taken for video lessons and it is expected that all students join for these. Absences will be noted and reported in line with standard school practices. All correspondence on the Dwight School Google Suite comes under our internet use policy and is recorded.

What if my child cannot make a video lesson?

If attendance at a video lesson is a problem then the teacher should be notified in advance.

Other information

After a short period of time I will be sending a survey out to parents and their children to collect feedback on our online learning systems and to see what improvements could be made in the future.

Please view the online guide here. 

View a presentation on well being from Ms Allen here.

Dwight Global will host a series of webinars for parents to assist students affected by school closures. Registration for all the seminars can be completed here.