4 minute read
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.”
PARENT SURVEY RESULTS IN NUMBERS
846 responses
“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
“I have a son in the Senior School, a daughter in the Junior School and a daughter in the Infant School, so I am well positioned to observe the various approaches. First, each of the schools seemed extremely well prepared to move to remote learning, evidenced by the packs of information that came home with the children [before the Easter break]. Second, I have been hugely impressed with the amount and quality of educational resources available online that Tanglin has directed students to, as well as the children’s ability to easily communicate with their teachers. Third, I have been surprised by my children’s determination to stick to a timetable every day, which I imagine has been impressed on them by the school. Well done.”
–Tanglin Parent
“I wanted to write in to compliment you and the team – and especially [my son’s form tutor] for doing such an amazing job with home-based learning. It’s brought normalcy to our children’s lives in these uncertain and trying times, and has helped to keep the children focussed and their learning curve active. The Zoom calls have really helped to give them direction and have added a personal touch. The comments and voice messages on the assignments submitted are detailed and helpful, and we are really thankful to all of you for your hard work and dedication. I do hope that we continue with this level of remote-based learning until the children are able to resume school. Thank you so much. We are truly appreciative of your dedication and focus.”– Junior School Parent “Our family are really benefitting from the online learning in Years 7, 8 and 10. We are finding it wonderful to have some structure to the day, and the introduction of registration and the expectation to attend lessons at the right time means that my children are continuing with their work as best as they can in the circumstances. The Microsoft Teams meetings are allowing them to feel like they are back in the classroom to some degree, and it is also encouraging them to stay in touch with their friends and the others in their class. The Senior School’s balance of expectation for work to be done, combined with understanding that this is not always possible, has been just right. [Our family’s] experience has very much been a positive one and we are grateful for the dedication of all the teachers and support staff who are trying to make this work.”
– Senior School Parent
