Learning at home without tears
Published date | 31 January 2021 |
¦ 54,000 4G wireless routers have been provided, with free data for the academic year, to support disadvantaged children to access remote education and vital social care services. ¦ FOR more guidance on remote learning and support for mental health and wellbeing, visit gov.uk/ coronavirus-remotelearning.
Principal of Havelock Academy in Grimsby, Emma Marshall is supporting pupils with "cheer-up" videos, weekly welfare calls and a structured timetable of lessons.
A mum-of-two as well as a principal, Emma Marshall knows what parents are going through as their children embark on remote learning.
"I understand why parents are concerned," she says. "I'm a parent myself. My kids are 12 and 17. My son is in the middle of his A-levels and is hopefully due to be off to university in September. Thankfully he'd already really worked for his mocks. But now he's a bit like, 'Well, I'm not doing my exams', so I have to remind him to keep working."
We're kids to important life skills
Emma lists resilience as one of the key things young people need as they navigate this tricky time - and her school provides structure as well as practical help in terms of technology. "We're making sure we build their resilience, so some of the skills we're now looking at honing could be practical technology. resilience, important life skills in away that perhaps the more traditional curriculum doesn't address," she says. "Resilience is really important. We launched our 'Havelock important.
Hive' which is built on a beehive idea, with everybody working together. It supports team spirit - it's something we dreamt up in lockdown one and now it's become a big part of our curriculum. "All of us are learning something new at the moment. For me it's technology - I mean, wow! I couldn't do what I'm doing now without it. That's the same for all of us. I think if we'd have told the kids in lockdown one that they'd be doing their lessons all day on their Play- laughed at us! But amazing."
Station they would have they're doing it and it's suppor
Emma's tips to support your kids at home
TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN "Ask them how they're doing and get them to tell you five things they've learnt that day. Reward them - even if it's just a 'Well done'. Praise goes a long way."
ASK THE SCHOOL "Make sure...
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