Remote Teaching and Learning Policy

Kilberry National School

Introduction
In response to this time of uncertainty regarding school closures, this policy has been
formulated to outline how the school will maintain the link between our pupils and their
parents/guardians. In the event of another whole or partial school closure, we aim to
continue to communicate with our pupils through various means.
We recognise that online safety is of huge importance and the aim of this document is to
help to protect both school staff and pupils, while teaching and learning online.
This policy does not set out to replace our Acceptable Usage Policy. Rather, it is proposed as
an important addition to the area of learning from a digital platform. The policy presented
here should be read also in tandem with our school’s Code of Behaviour Policy and AntiBullying Policy.
The primary obligation of all schools is to the welfare of the learners in their school. This
policy, therefore, seeks to ensure that remote learning is safe for all student learners and
that personal and sensitive data is also protected under GDPR legislation. Schools must
ensure that learning takes place in an environment that is respectful and fair and meets its
statutory duties.
This Policy has been formulated in accordance with the provisions of the Department of
Education and relevant sections of:
a) The Education Act (1998)
b) Education (Welfare) Act (2000)
c) Equal Status Act (2000)
d) Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act (2004)
e) Disability Act (2005)
f) Children First Act (2017)
g) GDPR
h) Data Protection Act (2018)
i) Department of Education: Child Protection Procedures for Primary schools
j) NEWB Guidelines for Developing a Code of Behaviour (2008).
k) DES Guidance on Continuity of Schooling for Primary Schools (May 2020)
l) DES Guidance on Continuity of Schooling: Supporting Primary Pupils at very High Risk
to Covid 19 (August 2020).
m) Guidance on Remote Learning in a COVID-19 Context: September – December 2020
This is a working document. As we continue to explore options available to support
distance learning, the document will be updated accordingly.
Context
Teaching and Learning is always evolving, especially, as we move deeper into the 21st
century. Developments in IT provide us all with great opportunities as learners and teachers.
Never before has there been greater scope to learn using technology and it continues to
change the learning relationship between teachers and students. Advances in technology
mean that assignments can be delivered remotely and that greater access to information on
the internet affords the opportunities for real learning to take place under the watchful and
professional guidance of the teacher. However, whether a child is being directed remotely
or via a traditional classroom environment, it is very important that all partners are aware
that once a learning exchange takes place between a student and teacher, whether at home
or school, the same statutory rules apply i.e. the school’s Code of Behaviour and all of the
school’s policies apply.
We recognise that online collaboration is essential for distance learning and that families
are in favour of increased opportunities to maintain the connection between school and
home. Kilberry National School uses a variety of child friendly, online tools, which assist in
providing more effective teaching and learning, while also enabling greater communication
between staff, families and students.

Guidelines for good online communication
1. Staff, families and students are expected to behave in an appropriate, safe,
respectful and kind manner online.
2. Under no circumstances should pictures or recordings be taken of video calls by
pupils and/or parents/guardians.
3. It is the duty of parents/guardians to supervise children while they are working
online and to ensure that any content submitted to their teacher is appropriate.
4. Staff members will communicate with pupils and their families using school
approved platforms (Seesaw, Aladdin App, School Email, Zoom and by phone).
5. Any electronic forms of communication will be for educational purposes and to allow
for communication with families.
6. As the link to a Zoom video call will be communicated to the parent/guardian
through Aladdin/email, essentially, by virtue of the pupil logging on to the call,
parental/guardian consent in implied. All parents/guardians are also required to sign
our online permissions form on Aladdin Connect for their child to take part in Zoom
lessons.
7. Kilberry National School cannot accept responsibility for the security of online
platforms, in the event that they are compromised.
Media which will be primarily used by the school:
Our ‘Remote Teaching and Learning Plan’ may include a combination of assigned work and
pre-recorded lessons (Seesaw & Videos). In addition, our Teachers/SNAs may use Zoom to
engage with the children they work with.

Kilberry National School will use a variety of online platforms for communicating and
connecting with families/pupils.
 Aladdin: This platform keeps parents up to date on school and classroom news via
noticeboard messages. All families are asked to check it daily for updates and
important information.
 Seesaw: This is a school communication platform used by teachers in our school.
Children will also be familiar with using this app to upload their work.
 School Email: Teacher may communicate with parents/guardians via the school email and vice-versa.
 Zoom: Zoom is a cloud-based video-conferencing service which our Teachers/SNAs
use to virtually meet with their pupils. SET also use this method for delivery of small
group or one to one lessons.

Rules for pupils using online communication methods
For submitting learning
1. Submit work and pictures that are appropriate – have an adult take a look at your
work before you send it.
2. Use kind and friendly words.
For Zoom calls with Teachers/SNAs
1. Remember to ensure you join each Zoom meeting using your child’s name.
2. Pictures or recordings of the video call are not allowed.
3. Remember our school rules – they are still in place, even online.
4. Set up your device in a quiet space, with no distractions in the background.
5. Join with your video camera on.
6. If you have the chance to talk, speak in your normal voice, using kind and friendly
words.
7. Show respect by listening to others while they are speaking.
8. Ensure that you are dressed appropriately for the video call.
9. Be on time – set a reminder if it helps.
10. Enjoy! Don’t forget to wave hello to everyone when you join!
Guidelines for parents and guardians
For learning
1. It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure that pupils are supervised
while they work online.
2. Check over the work which pupils send to their teacher, ensuring it is appropriate.
3. Continue to revise online safety measures with pupils.
4. In our school we promote respect for individual differences and learning needs. We
would expect that the same level of respect and confidentiality will be afforded to all
pupils while they are engaging in online learning.
For Zoom Calls
1. Under no circumstances should pictures or recordings be taken of video calls except
by teachers for educational/child protection purposes.
2. Ensure that you check Aladdin/email for invites to join meetings.
3. The main purpose of a video call is to maintain a social connection between the
school staff and pupils. Encourage pupils to listen and enjoy the experience.
4. You will automatically enter a waiting room when the code for a Zoom call has been
entered. Please note that school staff will only accept users into video call if you can
be identified by the display name on your zoom account. (i.e. Child’s Name)
5. You will be expected to have your video camera on.
6. Participants in the call should be dressed appropriately.
7. An appropriate background/room should be chosen for the video call.
8. For detailed information on GDPR and Zoom, please visit https://zoom.us/privacy
Any breach of the above guidelines will result in a discontinuation of this method of
communication. It may also result in a person being immediately removed from a meeting or a
meeting being terminated.
Remote Teaching and Learning Protocols for Students
Teaching and Learning best practice will continue to apply, with students expected to:
 Check assigned work each day/week.
 Present all assignments to the best of their ability and on time, where possible in this
evolving and unprecedented situation.
In so far as possible, provision for SEN students and for students at very high risk to COVID
19 will be made when using Remote Learning methodologies.
Remote Teaching and Learning Protocols for Parents
We ask parents/guardians to ensure protocols for students are adhered to. Please check-in
on your child’s school work on a daily basis and talk to your child about the work being
assigned.
The health and wellbeing of all is paramount. Circumstances may change for any of us
unexpectedly, teachers or parents, so please keep schooling in perspective and do not allow
anything school related to impinge on your child negatively. You are the primary educator of
your child and you make those calls. We encourage a little work every week day for routine.
We provide work and guidance and ask parents and pupils to do their best and that is all.
Remote Teaching and Learning Protocols for Teachers/SNAs
Check uploaded work daily. The normal school calendar will apply.

The following school policies apply to remote teaching and learning:
a. Child Protection Policy
b. Data Protection Policy
Teaching and Learning best practice will continue to apply with students expected to
present all assignments to the best of their ability and on time, where possible. Relevant
feedback will be provided by the class teacher and the Special Education Teacher on an
ongoing basis.
As per Department of Education Guidelines, the following requirements in relation to
remote teaching and learning of all pupils/students are particularly important:
 Regular engagement with pupils/students: It is important that teachers engage with
their pupils/students; in a primary setting this should, ideally, be on a daily basis.
 A blend of guided and independent learning tasks/experiences: Teacher
pupil/student engagement should involve both direct teaching by the teacher and
the assignment of independent learning tasks for completion by the pupils/students.
 Appropriate and engaging learning opportunities: Teachers should ensure that the
chosen learning tasks give pupils/students an opportunity to demonstrate their
learning in a clear and concise way.
 Learning tasks: The tasks chosen should be specifically aligned to the needs of the
pupil/student, including pupils/students with SEN, and should enable the teacher to
monitor progress and give constructive, developmental feedback to support the next
stages in their learning.
 Two-way feedback between home and school: Schools should ensure that two-way
feedback between teachers and parents/guardians and between teachers and their
pupils/students is encouraged and supported. Schools should provide manageable
and accessible opportunities for all pupils/ students to regularly share samples of
their work with the teacher(s) throughout each week. Teachers should ensure that
work received is corrected and relevant feedback is provided.
 Support for pupils/students with SEN: Special education teachers (SETs) should
continue to engage with the pupils/students on their caseloads and class/subject
teachers should differentiate teaching and learning in line with their
pupils’/students’ needs to minimise disruption to their learning and progression.
Remote Teaching and Learning Provision specifically for the following Covid 19 related
scenarios
A. Provision for children who are at very high risk to Covid 19:
The school will engage directly with relevant parents, regarding remote educational
provision for children who are deemed to be at very high risk to Covid-19 (see HSE
Guidelines) where medical certification has been provided to the school.
B. Provision for all other children who are instructed to self-isolate or restrict their
movements by their GP or HSE Public Health, educational provision will be provided as
follows:
1. Children who are awaiting Covid 19 test results for themselves or a family member and
have been instructed by their GP to isolate at home for a few days.
These pupils will be supported to catch up on their learning on their return to
school. Activities/assignments may be provided by the class teacher.
2. Children isolating at home on instruction from their GP due to a confirmed case within
their own family/close contact outside of school (14-day isolation period).
Class/SET teacher will link in with the pupil via See-Saw.
3. School POD (group of six) instructed by HSE Pubic Health to self-isolate.
Class/SET teacher will link in with the pupil via See-Saw.
4. School bubble (whole class) instructed by HSE Public Health to self-isolate (14 day
isolation period).
The class/SET teacher will provide remote/distance teaching to all the pupils in the class
using the school’s digital platforms or other agreed method as needed.
5. Whole school closure as instructed by HSE Public Health (duration of closure will be
advised by Public Health)
Teachers will engage with pupils, using a blended approach of pre-recorded lessons,
Seesaw, Aladdin app and Zoom.
Where pupils are in receipt of learning support, the Special Education Teacher will assign
and correct work sent electronically in collaboration with the class teacher. The SET will
link in with the pupil via Seesaw, Aladdin, Zoom, e-mail and/or by phone.
6. A teacher / number of teachers in the school are advised to self-isolate or restrict their
movements
If the teacher’s class group is still attending school, a substitute teacher will be sought to
cover that teacher’s teaching responsibilities in the school for the period in question. The
teacher restricting their movements will support the work of the school in developing
and delivering its programmes of teaching and learning for pupils as per Section 12 of
Circular 0049/2020
Please note that the current situation is quite fluid and these circumstances may vary
throughout the year.
Summary:
o We are encouraging parents to “Do what you can, within your circumstances”.
o There will be no school work set for planned school closures/holidays. There will be
no interaction on Zoom, Seesaw or Email during these times.
o Please keep abreast of postings on Aladdin – This is our main mode of
communication.
o We ask parents/guardians, students and teachers to ensure protocols are adhered to
at all times.
o If you have yet to connect to any of the on-line platforms/school app, please do so. If
you are experiencing difficulties please email the school and we will assist you in any
way that we can and please contact the school with any further queries you may
have.
We thank the school community for adhering to the above guidelines for everyone’s safety
and welfare.
Ratification & Review
This plan was ratified by the Board of Management of Kilberry National School on
23rd February 2021 and is subject to change, in light of any guidance or instruction received
from Department of Education and Skills/HSE Public Health.
Signed: Leon Kenny Date:23/02/21
Chairperson, Board of Management