Remote Learning at Teesville Academy

Please see the  information about our Remote Education Provision.

Schools should aim to provide high-quality remote education when it is not possible, or is contrary to government guidance, for some or all pupils to attend 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.

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.  It is considered only as a last resort when the alternative would be no education, and only after it has been established that the pupil is, or will be, absent from school. In such cases, remote education can have the benefit of allowing absent pupils to keep on track with their education and stay connected to their teachers and peers.

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.

Scenarios where remote education should be considered

Circumstances where it might not be possible for pupils to receive in person education fit into 2 broad categories:

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

School closures or restrictions on attendance

Providing remote education does not change the imperative to remain open or to reopen as soon as possible. Every effort should be made to ensure pupils can be taught in person by attending their school or if appropriate and possible, attending a safe alternative site.

After exploring all options to ensure the school remains open to all pupils, there may still be some exceptional occasions when school leaders or the local authority decide it is not possible to open safely, or where opening would contradict guidance from local or central government. If restricting attendance for pupils is the only viable option, schools should consider providing remote education to help pupils stay on track with the education they would normally receive.

It can be helpful for schools to have a plan in place that outlines any remote education procedures for teachers, parents, carers and pupils. Remote education plans are particularly useful during emergency closures where the decision to close can often be made at short notice.

Schools should consult DfE emergency planning guidance in the event of school closures or restrictions on attendance.

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 and might include pupils:

• recovering from short- term infectious illnesses
• preparing for or recovering from some operations
• recovering from injuries where attendance might inhibit recovery

In some exceptional cases, these circumstances might also include pupils whose attendance has been affected by a special educational need or disability (SEND) or a mental health issue. In these circumstances, after the pupil’s absence from school has been established, schools should consider providing pupils with remote education on a case-by-case basis. This should be part of a plan to reintegrate back to school, and only when it is judged that providing remote education would not adversely affect the pupil’s return to school.

Guidance for schools on mental health issues affecting a pupil’s attendance has further support on dealing with mental health and attendance challenges.

Provision of remote education should be made as a short-term solution allowing absent pupils to keep on track with their education and stay connected to their teachers and peers. Pupils with long-term medical conditions or any other physical or mental health needs which affect attendance may need more support to continue their education.