Planning & Pastoral Support Vital
Our article for the Western Mail published 19th March 2020
Read our article for the Western Mail published today
How can Wales’ schools support pupils during a coronavirus closure?
The rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic has caused countries across the world to implement drastic measures to slow the pace of contagion.
According to Unesco, the United Nations education, scientific and cultural organisation, some 56 countries have now ordered nationwide school closures in response to the outbreak.
Most people believe it is only a matter of time before the UK follows suit. Indeed, many schools are already starting to prepare for a prolonged period of closure.
Schools in Wales are used to closing for short periods of time, for weather related incidents for example, but this situation is unprecedented in modern times.
There are two things headteachers are likely to be thinking about. Firstly, what do we do right now? And secondly, what do we do if things continue?
Few heads will have had specific training in dealing crisis planning, meaning that like leaders in many other organisations, they are essentially stepping into the unknown during this planning phase.
Schools will have their own response to suit their own needs and context, but the priority for all schools during this shutdown must be to ensure that no child is disadvantaged. The key question headteachers will be asking is: “What can we do to support our pupils in the most effective way we can?”
It wouldn’t be helpful for heads to make too many demands of teachers in this situation; the approach needs to be collegiate and professional, collective not top-down. The only expectation should be that teachers do the best they can to support their pupils.
Each teacher is going to have their own individual circumstances. They might not be well themselves, or caring for children or elderly relatives. When schools are thinking about implementing distance learning plans, they need to consider how their teachers can deliver these – what resources will they need?
Initially, the best option might not be to introduce new information to pupils. Instead, teachers might be better advised to help them consolidate what they have already learned, especially those in Year 10. If the situation goes on longer then teachers will need to think carefully about how they introduce new content in the best and most effective way.
How the support will be delivered to pupils will be a huge consideration. Schools will have to come up with innovative ways to ensure pupils have access to the learning materials they need. There can’t be a ‘one size fits all approach’. Online learning resources are not going to work for pupils who have limited home access to the internet, for example.
Many pupils will be worried and scared about the situation as well. Teachers are often their first port of call in stressful situations like these, so schools will want to consider the most appropriate ways they can keep in touch with individual pupils to offer pastoral support.
Whatever happens with this fast-moving situation, everyone has accepted that there will be disruption to schools and pupils. To minimise this disruption as much as possible, schools in Wales must start planning now if they haven’t already.
Finola Wilson is a former teacher and the director of Impact School Improvement, a Caerphilly-based educational company that works with schools and teachers across the UK.
A Little More About Us
Who are we? - We are Finola & Jane, Literacy & Numeracy specialists, with 35+ years of teaching, training & leadership experience between us.
What's our experience? - We have both worked for Welsh Government supporting schools & senior leaders across Wales. We have held senior leadership posts, delivered support to strategic education advisers, both hold school governor posts and have published curriculum support guidance with Oxford University Press...but if you need to know more visit our website for testimonials from schools we've worked with.
Why should you book our support? - Put simply, because we believe in impact. We do exactly what our name suggests. Our workshop keeps things simple and ensures school actions really work. Our focus is always on delivering measurable impact for pupils
Email: enquiries@impact.wales
Website: www.impact.wales
Location: Caerphilly, UK
Phone: 029 2167 9140
Facebook: facebook.com/impactwales123
Twitter: @ImpactWales