In addition to this, the Government and DfE are suggesting Y10 and Y12 should receive some ‘face to face support’ during the final half term and at some stage we hope to be able to offer some form of ‘Direct Learning’ to our students in years 10 and 12.  We will of course be following all guidance from the Government, the DfE, Doncaster Council and the Teaching Unions. 

We have done some initial planning as to what this direct learning may look like, however as things are changing on a daily basis, we will share this information once arrangements are finalised.

Of course, whatever the final plan looks like, whilst in school all social distancing requirements would be in place and a thorough Risk Assessment is currently being undertaken.

Remote Learning – 1^st June 2020
In the final half term, rather than creating one large seven week block of work we are looking to give the students more structure whilst offering more support to students and their families. The proposal is that students will follow the timetable, shown below:

Timetable Y7 to 9

Timetable Y10

Weeks 2 and 3 would then simply rotate, so week 2 is the same as 4 and 6, whilst week 3 is the same as 5 and 7.

Student work will be sent out by each Department on a weekly basis and will be posted on Microsoft ‘Teams’ on a Monday morning.  This will go live for students at 8am on Monday 1^st June.  We will be sending detailed instructions on how to access Teams next week.  Students may receive emails to their school account this week.  The links in these emails will not work until 1^st June.

In addition, to support students in their learning a series of daily ‘Live Support Sessions’ will run.  Here the students will be invited to join a meeting where they can seek additional help.  These sessions will simply show as a slot on their calendar in Teams and so can be easily accessed – once again this will be described in the guide. 

This means where a lesson is timetabled in the morning there will be a live support session in the afternoon if students need any additional help.

For example, the arrangements for the Live Support Sessions during week 2 are shown in the table below.  Although this may look a little complicated at first, if you find the correct year group then simply note the day and time.  Invitations to join these sessions will automatically appear on your calendar in Teams, just click on this and ask any questions you need to.

It is really important that students follow the timetable and seek help where required.  This will hopefully provide more structure to students’ learning and also provides additional support should they require it.

Year 12 Students  Can we ask Y12 students to regularly check their emails as staff are developing the 'Teams' platform for the next steps of home learning.  Miss Hudson will be sending a timetable to students directly so they can access their learning at the appropriate times.  Thanks to students and their families who have supported the trialling of this new approach over the past two weeks.

Finally, I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones safe and well and may I take this opportunity to wish you a very pleasant half term holiday.

Kind regards

Jo McCready
Associate Principal