On this page you can find information about our journey as we refine and adapt to remote learning. This is an ongoing process as we all adapt to this new way of working. Below we summarise our journey so far. You can also find links to more detailed information for each year group.

Work is set via Google Classroom. If you need help to access Google Classroom please visit our IT Support page here. 

 

Our approach to remote learning

Thank you for your patience whilst we learn more about this new way of working. At every stage we hvae listened to your feedback to help us find solutions that work for all of our students.

Initial challenge: issues with technology

• Everyone had to learn new skills – so we provided videos for students and parents about using Google Classroom and training for our staff.
• Students having to share IT equipment at home – so we decided not to follow the school timetable during lockdown, so that each student could manage their time in a way to suit your home situation.
• Needing work in a variety of formats – again this depended on students’ own situations and access to IT, so we presented materials in both PDF and Word/Powerpoint.
• Some students have no computers – so we sent paper copies of work home and have been working individually with families to resolve issues.

Responding to feedback

We have been listening to the needs of our students from the beginning and issues for our attention seem to have come in four main waves.  At each point we have changed our Teaching and Learning practice in response to what our students and parents were saying.  Of course, we will continue to do this and welcome your comments. 

Concern 1:  Too much work (April/early May) 

Students were feeling over-whelmed and school work was adding to anxiety during a time of great upheaval. 

Change to practice:  Teachers reduced the amount of work they were setting but added an optional extra task for students who wanted to complete more.  Students were advised to limit the time they spent doing on-screen learning to look after their health and wellbeing.

We have a whole section of our website dedicated to providing resources to support student wellbeing. You can view our wellbeing page here.

Concern 2: Deadlines coming at the same time (May) 

Students were finding it difficult to organise their work, particularly since deadlines were often coming on the same day.

Change to practice: Departments coordinated deadlines.

Concern 3: Students need more ‘human’ contact (late May) 

Students were becoming demotivated by not seeing their teachers and wanted more use of virtual technology.

Change to practice: Over the coming weeks all subjects will provide at least one of the following for all year groups: live stream lessons or drop-in tutorials; pre-recorded lessons; Powerpoints with audio.  Please see the timetable below for more details of live streamed sessions.  This provision will develop and more sessions will be added over the coming weeks.

Concern 4: Feedback (June) 

Students want clearer guidance on how they are doing. 

Change to practice: Subjects are using a range of methods to mark work and give feedback at KS3, including:

• WWW (what went well) and EBI (even better if) comments.
• Whole class feedback.
• Self-assessment with teacher check and acknowledgement.
• Form group competitions.

This is in line with our whole school feedback policy (see: https://www.silverdale-chorustrust.org/markingandfeedback). We will of course review how this works as a virtual school over the coming weeks, in response to student and parent feedback.

 

GOING BEYOND ACADEMIC LEARNING

We believe that our students should have the broadest experience possible in their learning. So we continue to provide and highlight extra-curricular opportunities, even during lockdown,

Our website has a whole section dedicated to ideas for activities here.

Below are some other recent activities organised by our departments:

P.E. 

Our PE department have been organising lots of activities that students can take part in. Much of this happens via their Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/silverdalepe1

They are also organising a regular Race Across the World, where everyone in school contributes the miles they cover during their physical activity, racing against Westfield School.

Library 

Reading is important for both education and wellbeing and, in all English units, students are encouraged to read as much as possible.

You can browse all the books in the school library on the Reading Cloud.

If you want to borrow something, our librarian Mrs Senior is happy to send out books to students. You can contact her by email: csenior@silverdale-chorustrust.org

If you need ideas for what to read next, try using Bookchooser or the Book Trust's Bookfinder.

Music 

Our music department are running lots of activities, including a virtual string orchestra and a Sheffield-wide school choir. 

If you want to get involved in any extra-curricular music activities, please contact Mrs Cooper via email.

Design & Technology Civilisation Project 

This is an ongoing project for Key Stage 3 students, where they are given different D&T activities to try out – which all contribute to the Civilisations Scoreboard.

You can see the updates about the Civilisation project on their dedicated webpage here.

 

remote learning for Years 7, 8, 9 (Key Stage 3)

Please view our page about Remote Learning for Years 7, 8 and 9 here.

 

remote learning for Years 10 and 12

From Monday 15 June small groups of Year 10 and 12 students have been invited in for face to face teaching. These students and their parents have been contacted directly about this.  If you have any questions please contact the appropriate key stage team.

 

SEND support

Please view our SEND support page here for students during lockdown.