Teacher Bulletin: remote education, exam consultation, support for disadvantaged pupils, safety and wellbeing

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Online event: get help with remote education and catch-up provision

Join our sector-led, online event from 4pm on Wednesday 27 January. The event will provide:

  • examples of the best approaches to remote education
  • advice on delivering the curriculum virtually, featuring Oak National Academy
  • top tips on maintaining wellbeing, motivation and keeping pupils safe

Recordings of all sessions will be available on the day, so you can watch at a time that suits you. You can find the full agenda on the Get help with remote education website. A link to access the event will be available on the same page on 26 January.

A further panel event will take place on Wednesday 3 February, with registrations opening on 27 January.

Consultation on 2021 exam replacement closing on 29 January

Students need grades to continue to the next stage of their education or training and they must reflect what a student knows, understands and can do.

In place of exams in summer 2021 we propose that a student’s grade in a subject will be based on their teacher’s assessment of the standard at which they are performing.

The Department for Education and Ofqual have launched a consultation and want to hear the views of students who were due to take their exams, their parents and carers, their teachers, school and college leaders. The consultation will consider the range of evidence teachers use to award a grade and covers general and vocational qualifications too.

Find out more and respond to the consultation by this Friday.

 

Support for disadvantaged pupils

Free school meals

Thank you for the efforts you are making to ensure every child who usually has Free School Meals continues to receive a nutritious lunch, either via lunch parcels, locally arranged vouchers or vouchers through our national scheme.

Please see our full guidance for further details. We have also answered some commonly asked questions from parents on the National Voucher Scheme and lunch parcels.

Free period products

More than three quarters of secondary schools have accessed free period products, since the programme launched in January 2020. The roll out of free period products for all young people in English state primary schools, secondary schools and colleges has been extended to 2021.

You can still order a range of free period products for learners, including environmentally friendly and reusable products, and you can decide how to make these products available to learners. Schools and colleges have had an activation email from phs with information on how to log on to the portal and order products. Find practical support and guidance on the scheme on the scheme.

Contact phs customer services if you have any questions: 01827 255500 or periodproducts@phs.co.uk.

Keeping children and young people safe

Helpline for children affected by domestic abuse

The Operation Encompass Teachers Helpline, funded by Home Office and the Department for Education, has extended its operating hours to Mon-Fri from 8am to 1pm throughout term time.

The Helpline is available for all staff in educational settings to speak in confidence with an educational psychologist about how best to support children experiencing domestic abuse. More resources are available from the Operation Encompass website, including further information about the Helpline and a Handbook for Schools.

Helpline number: 0204 513 9990

 

Staying safe online

Thinkuknow, the national online safety education programme from the National Crime Agency, have adapted their online safety toolkits for remote delivery.

You can now download lessons for primary school children with activities covering topics such as sharing pictures, gaming and livestreaming. For secondary age young people, a short video explores reporting online grooming and sexual abuse to be used via your online learning platform.

Hear from teachers and senior leaders

The DfE Teaching Blog shares case studies, reflections and best practice from other teachers and senior leaders tackling challenges related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Explore the blog today and sign up to receive the latest blogs in your inbox.