All pupils should attend school, in line with our Attendance Policy. Remote education is not viewed as an equal alternative to attendance in school and any pupils receiving remote education will be marked absent in line with the Pupil Registration Regulations.

We will consider providing remote education to pupils in circumstances when in-person attendance is either not possible or contrary to government guidance. This might include:

• Occasions when our school needs to remain closed due to safety reasons or due to guidance from local or central government.
• Occasions when individual pupils, for a limited duration, are unable to physically attend school but are able to continue learning, for example because:
  • They have an infectious illness;
  • They are preparing for or recovering from an intensive operation;
  • They are recovering from injury and attendance in school may inhibit such recovery.

The school will consider providing pupils with remote education on a case-by-case basis.

In the limited circumstances when remote education is used, we will:

• Gain mutual agreement of remote education by the school, parents/carers, pupils, and if appropriate, a relevant medical professional. If the pupil has an Educational, Health Care Plan (EHCP) or a social worker, the Local Authority (LA) will also be involved in the decision;
• Put formal arrangements in place to regularly review it and identify how to reintegrate the pupil back into school;
• Identify what other support and flexibilities can be put in place to help reintegrate the pupil back into school at the earliest opportunity ;
• Set a time limit with an aim that the pupil returns to in-person education with appropriate support.

Remote education will not be used as a justification for sending pupils home due to misbehaviour. This would count as a suspension, even if the pupil is asked to access online education while suspended.

Accessing remote education

We recognise that some pupils may not have suitable online access at home. However, we can lend school-owned devices to pupils and families. If parents/carers do not have a device, they should inform the school office. Once a device is prepared, we will notify parents/carers to collect the device and complete the loan contract (subject to devices being available).

Class teachers may also provide printed resources on a weekly basis. Parents/carers should submit their child’s task the following week.