Weldon school's well done for 'creative use of online' lockdown learning

A village school near Corby has been praised for its use of their website and virtual communication during lockdown.

Weldon C of E Primary School took part in a national survey of 62 schools looking into the challenges that teachers faced as they returned to the classroom at the end of the summer term.

The survey aimed to uncover the main challenges facing teachers and the staff were highlighted as one school that was 'leading the way in its creative use of online learning tools'.

Kirsten Howarth, executive headteacher of Weldon C of E Primary School said: "In amongst the worry and uncertainty that Covid-19 brought, Weldon Primary school found some unexpected slithers of a silver lining.

"Relationships between parents and staff have blossomed and virtual communication has enabled a surprising amount of dialogue and support.

"Our teams developed remote strategies to continue to deliver a solid education, in addition to reviewing and developing a new progressive 3D curriculum ready for launch in September.

"Finally, the determination of staff to find different ways of working led to increased usage of our learning platform and website – both of which were invaluable in supporting learning."

She added: "As we return, we will continue to embrace creative solutions to meet the Covid requirements, whilst still ensuring quality education and pastoral care for all.”

Carried out in July by PrimarySite, a supplier of educational websites, the survey looked at challenges facing teachers and the positive long-term benefits.

Respondents were made up of headteachers, principals, senior leaders, governors, office managers and HLTAs, from maintained schools and academies, to special schools, multi-academy trusts and teaching schools.

Rachel Panther, MD at PrimarySite, said: "We work with over 4,800 schools and academies across the UK providing websites that make it easy for them to stay in touch with their community safely and securely and we have been working with Weldon C of E Primary School since 2016.

"One of the key learnings from the survey is that school websites have enabled teachers to work with parents and pupils to keep creative during the closure and Weldon C of E Primary School have been particularly innovative in this area.

"Using their website, Weldon C of E Primary School have produced regular blog posts from teachers and students, story time videos of teachers reading their favourite books, and weekly learning plans and recommendations in their home learning zone - featuring links, resources and tips on how to structure the day and find a timetable that works best for the whole family.”

One of the main questions in the survey asked what was proving hardest about the staged return to the classroom and the top three responses included:

· The ever-changing government advice on social distancing

· Managing children's anxiety and wellbeing

· Sourcing enough PPE equipment, including hand sanitiser and social distancing graphics

The survey also uncovered how new methods of teaching had created many positive outcomes for both pupils and staff, such as the increased use of video and blogging technology, setting and submitting homework via the school website - rather than book bags and notebooks - and an increase in parental involvement in teaching.

Respondents said they would like to incorporate into their schools long term.

Ms Howarth added: "Covid has forced us to be more creative with our communication and boosted our confidence in using our website."

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