Gunnersbury Catholic School provides students with a diverse and successful curriculum. We would not wish students to miss a day of school as they will be missing out on the direct support of their expert subject teachers. Circumstances where it might not be possible for pupils to receive in person education fit into two broad categories:

• school closures or restrictions on attendance, where school access for pupils is restricted;
• individual cases where a pupil is unable to attend school but is able to learn;

At Gunnersbury we understand that remote education should not be viewed as an equal alternative to attendance in school. For this reason we will consider remote education only as a last resort when the alternative would be no education, and only after it has been established that the student is, or will be, absent from school.

In such cases, remote education can have the benefit of allowing absent pupils to keep on track with their education and stay connected to their teachers and peers. Our approach to remote education is based on the Department for Education ‘Providing remote education: guidance for schools’ guidance from August 2024.   

The remote curriculum: overview

Our curriculum for all students is purposefully designed to be broad, balanced and rigorous. The ambitious and challenging skills, knowledge and understanding we choose to deliver to our students is carefully selected sequenced. It is also deeply contextual to the local things that influence our students the most. Therefore, to alter this finely prepared curriculum for remote learning we feel would be disadvantaging our students even further.

We teach the same curriculum remotely as we do in school wherever possible and appropriate. In all our core subjects (English, Maths, Science, Humanities and MFL) students will learn the same content at home as they would at school. However, we have needed to make some adaptations in some subjects. For example, our creative subjects such as Music, Drama, Art, DT and PE all need specific resources that are not always readily available at home. Therefore, they have developed new and innovative ways to continue to engage the students and help them to develop the subject specific skills needed to make progress.

In all cases, if access to technology is an issue, then please let inform our Curriculum Assistant Headteacher/Designated Safeguarding Lead using the following email address:

christian.parker@gunnersbury.hounslow.sch.uk

The above email address should also be used to inform the school of any safeguarding concerns relating to remote learning.

What should my child expect from immediate remote education in the first day or two of pupils being sent home?

A student’s first day or two of being educated remotely might look different from our standard approach, while we take all necessary actions to prepare for a longer period of remote teaching. It may also be that we provide some personalised support, for example, for a student who may have special educational needs, in helping them to access and structure their school day.

Work for all classes is set on Google Classroom. It will include lesson resources which may include video links and other online learning platforms to support the students with their learning.

How long can I expect work set by the school to take my child each day?

Students in Key Stage 3 (Year 7-9) will follow their normal daily timetable of subject lessons.

Students in Key Stage 4 (Year 10-11) will follow their normal daily timetable of subject lessons. These are exam groups and therefore, we do not feel they can afford to miss any opportunity to have contact time with their teachers so should make every possible effort attend the online learning every day.
 

Students in Key Stage 5 (Year 12-13) will follow their normal daily timetable of subjects. This varies for each individual student based on the combination of subjects they have chosen. For Key Stage 5 this will include both remote lessons as well as designated study time within the school day.
 

How will my child access any online remote education?

All our remote learning is set through Google Classroom. All students should know how to access this online platform.

Some subjects will also use additional online learning platforms:

• Maths – Sparx
• Science – SENECA French – SENECA
• All other subjects – Oak National Academy

All work is submitted to the teacher either via Google Classroom  or through these other platforms. When the work is set it will be clearly explained how it should be submitted.

If you have any questions about accessing these online platforms please contact the class teacher directly at GMAIL. If you are unable to access Google Classroom please contact: 

christian.parker@gunnersbury.hounslow.sch.uk

Additional support for pupils with particular needs

We recognise that some pupils, for example some pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), may not be able to access remote education without support from adults at home. We acknowledge the difficulties this may place on families, and we will work with parents and carers to support those pupils in the following ways:

• All parents/carers of students with SEND will be involved in the process of remote learning through discussion with the SENDCO and Head of Year
• Online Teaching Assistant  support sessions