QE’s Remote Education Offer

Despite the pandemic, our high expectations and commitment to providing high quality education continue to be at the forefront of the QE offer.  We have adapted our curriculum and the way in which it is delivered to ensure that all students continue to be supported both academically and pastorally through remote learning.

To avoid further disruption to study programmes, all lessons continue to be delivered within the established College timetable.  This enables all students to develop and maintain an effective routine of learning.  All students remain under the supervision of their teachers, Progress Tutors and Guidance Directors, who together will ensure that our students are safe and have regular opportunities to discuss both their progress and wellbeing.  Below is a summary of the various strategies that QE has put in place to deliver our curriculum through remote learning.

The Nature of Lessons

• All lessons will be taught following a student’s usual timetable. This allows students to establish routines during lockdown and effectively manage their time.
• Each department will make the decision based on their subject discipline of how to best deliver lessons to students, which will be discussed and approved by Senior Managers. In almost all cases, this will include live lessons through the use of a Google Meet.
• Lessons will include interactive elements and intentional dialogue (through the use of microphones or the ‘chat box’ function), allowing students to engage in the lesson and ask ‘live’ questions, as well as taking part in reflective discussions when appropriate.
• All students have the option of using their cameras and microphones, which may support their mental wellbeing through such interaction (please note, students have been informed by their teachers of safeguarding expectations if they choose to use their cameras).
• When deemed appropriate (which will be in most cases), lessons will be recorded and uploaded to the student’s Google Classroom at regular intervals in the week, allowing students that are unable to attend the live lesson to benefit.
• Registers using the College’s Voyager system will be taken at all lessons.
• All members of staff are expected to follow the safeguarding guidelines and processes outlined in the College’s Remote Education and Safeguarding policies. Members of staff will inform students about relevant safeguarding issues and require them to conduct themselves appropriately with regards to safeguarding protocols.

Assessing Student Understanding

• All students will be regularly assessed (this can take the form of quizzes, Q/A using the ‘chat box’ or microphones, past paper questions, etc.), to check on learning.
• Clear deadlines and expectations for work will be set.
• Feedback will be provided to support progress in learning, which is responsive to students’ needs.
• Feedback on how to progress will be timely and frequent (this may take the form of digitally facilitated or whole-class feedback where appropriate).
• Students can expect to receive feedback on their work at least once every week for academic study programmes and at least fortnightly if undertaking technical or applied general study programmes.

• Expectations of students
• Students will be expected to attend all timetabled lessons on time. If they are unable to attend lessons due to illness or technology issues, they should inform their teachers.
• Students should engage with learning and complete all tasks set by their teachers. If they are unable to do so, as they need additional support or lack technology, they should contact their teachers immediately for support.
• Students are expected to adhere to all safeguarding procedures as outlined by their teachers.
• If a student does not have the technological capabilities to engage in remote learning, they should contact College, where arrangements will be made to support the student.

Arrangements for Studying Courses that Require Specialist Equipment or Facilities

• Teachers who teach subjects that require the use of specialist equipment or facilities should assess the possibility of restructuring their Schemes of Work and Programmes of Learning, in order to delay the teaching of these areas of the specification until students return to College for face-to-face learning. If they are unable to do so, they will discuss plans with Senior Managers for guidance.

Supporting Students without Devices, Connectivity or a Suitable Environment

• If a student does not have the means to engage with remote learning, they should contact the College, where arrangements will be made to support them.

Support for students with SEND

• Support for students with special educational needs and disabilities will be sustained online, as far as is possible, while learning takes place remotely. 
• Students with Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs) will continue to receive the support and entitlements set out in those plans.  Where they, or other SEND students, have received individual support from members of the Learning Support team, this will continue, with Learning Support staff attending online lessons, participating in Google Classrooms and holding online support sessions as appropriate. 
• All EHCP students, and others deemed by the College to require it, will be able to attend college during lockdown, should they wish to do so, where they will be able to work independently and to access the support of staff.