Providing remote education 

At William Harding we expect all children to attend school every day the school is open unless the reason for the absence is unavoidable. More information on our approach with attendance can be found by clicking here. 

Attendance is essential for pupils to get the most out of their school experience, including for their attainment, wellbeing, and wider life chances. Remote education should not be viewed as an equal alternative to attendance in school.

Remote education should only ever be considered as a last resort where a decision has already been made that attendance at school is not possible, but pupils are able to continue learning.

Providing Remote Education Guidance for Schools - DfE, August 2024

At William Harding we follow the Providing remote education guidance for schools, published by the DfE in August 2024, and consider the following circumstances where it might not be possible for pupils to receive in person education: 

  • School closures or restrictions on attendance, where school access for pupils is restricted 

  • Individual cases where a pupil is unable to attend school but is able to learn 

Pupils absent from school and receiving remote education still need to be marked as absent in the register. Schools must continue to record pupil absence in the register in line with the School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024 and attendance guidance, using the most appropriate code.

School closures or restrictions on attendance 

If restricting attendance for pupils is the only viable option, we will provide remote education to help pupils stay on track with the education they would normally receive. 

Individual cases where a pupil is unable to attend school but is able to learn 

There should only be limited circumstances where a pupil is unable to attend school but is able and well enough to continue their education remotely. These circumstances should only involve a short-term absence:

  • recovering from short- term infectious illnesses

  • preparing for or recovering from some operations

  • recovering from injuries where attendance might inhibit recovery

We will consider providing pupils with remote education on a case-by-case basis and as part of a plan to reintegrate back to school.

We will not provide remote education if it will adversely affect the pupil’s return to school.

Working with the local authority

Under section 19 of the Education Act 1996 (s.19 duty) local authorities are responsible for arranging suitable education for children of compulsory school age who, because of health or other reasons, would otherwise not receive a suitable education.

Statutory guidance on education for children with health needs who cannot attend school sets out that local authorities should provide education as soon as it is clear that the child will be away from school for 15 school days or more during the school year, whether consecutive or cumulative.

What we consider when providing remote education to individual pupils 

Remote education should not be viewed as an equal alternative to attendance in school. Providing remote education during a pupil’s absence does not reduce the importance of bringing that absence to an end as soon as possible.

What Remote Education we provide in the event of a school closure or for individual cases

If we do have to close the school or agree to provide remote education, the following will be uploaded to Dojo for children to complete. Please note that these will be uploaded as PowerPoint Presentations which children should be able to follow as per the normal lesson structure.  

  • English lesson

  • Maths lesson 

  • 1 afternoon lesson

We also expect reading to take place and any further learning is required, this can be found on our website https://www.williamhardingschool.co.uk/how-to-support-learning-at-home-home-collaboration.

Please note we aim to have these uploaded on the day of closure by 10am for English & Maths, and by 12pm for the afternoon lesson.

Due to teacher workload and manageable expectations please note that work will be ticked only and anything submitted after 5pm will not be marked.