Remote Learning by John Ridley, Director of Learning “On moving to remote learning in March, Tanglin Trust School worked hard to ensure students were motivated and engaged in learning, and that they and their families felt well supported by its staff. A parent survey on remote learning was overwhelmingly positive, with 79% of Tanglin parents agreeing the structure was right for their child and more than three-quarters ranking teachers’ instructions as good or excellent. The structure of remote learning was tailored to the age and stage of each child, and therefore varied between the Infant, Junior and Senior schools. To help families with children in the Infant and Junior Schools plan their days, a suggested daily timetable with recommended activities was sent out to parents the previous afternoon. Students used the school’s online platform to submit work and see feedback from their teachers. Virtual circle time and lessons in small groups helped students feel connected to their teachers and their classmates, and ease feelings of isolation. Senior School students, meanwhile, registered with their teachers each morning and had a daily timetable of either five or six lessons to follow. Students were given the work in advance, with teachers on hand during the lesson to support and stretch where necessary. The pastoral system remains a strong feature of Tanglin education, and the school continued to ensure each child was fully supported during this challenging period and beyond by contacting families who may have been particularly affected.”
6
PARENT SURVEY RESULTS IN NUMBERS
85%
846
responses
of Senior School students engaged for 4 hours per day or more
75%
69%
of Infant School students engaged for 2 hours per day or more
of Junior School students engaged for 4 hours per day or more
“I just wanted to write to say ‘thank you’ to the Infant School staff. During this time of uncertainty, Tanglin has been a bedrock of support and help. I get the sense that all the staff are working so incredibly hard as they are so quick in their communication, which hits just the right tone of helpful detailed instruction without being overwhelming or alarming. The morning and afternoon videos are especially helpful to me and my three-year-old as they are a source of enjoyment for [my daughter] and also have practical ideas that keep us both occupied during the day. I just wanted you to know that the experience that we have had of [remote] learning couldn’t have been better, and we really appreciate all the efforts and hard work of Tanglin Infant School.”– Infant School Parent
