To all pupils and their parents/carers,
How do young people access materials shared online?
Scottish schools use an online system called Glow. Within Glow, different schools and local authorities use different apps. When a young person from our school signs into Glow, they should access the ‘Mail’ tile. This will open their Glow email account. On the left-hand side of the screen, underneath where it shows inbox, sent items etc. pupils should see an option for Groups. Under the Groups heading, they should see a list of their classes. If they click on a class, they will see messages and instructions left by their teacher. Within the Groups area, staff can upload files, send messages, setup calendars and provide access to some other online learning facilities such as Microsoft Teams. The use of Groups guarantees a level of online provision and access to instructions/materials almost immediately. Some staff and pupils will already use some of the other apps we can access via Glow. In these cases, teachers will clarify where young people will find work from within the Group area for that particular class.
The form of content pupils are asked to complete will vary. Some staff may direct pupils to reading material or online revision tools. Others may upload questions for completion or may share some new content online. There is no one method that is suitable for every class and stage.
We have also shared guides on how to access glow groups on our homepage https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/stjosephsacademy/2020/03/20/pupil-guides-for-accessing-glow/ . In addition it is possible to access glow via xbox and playstation, https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/stjosephsacademy/2020/03/20/glow-on-games-consoles/
Where a young person has forgotten their Glow username or password, you can use the Contact Us page – https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/stjosephsacademy/contact-us/ – to request a change of password. We are also aware of a small number of young people with no access to a device that can support online learning. We will make contact with you on an individual basis over the coming days and into the early part of next week.
Plans for timetable change (new S4 – S6 pupils)
Our timetable is scheduled to change in late April/early May. As the school closure situation currently has no defined end point, we are in the process of developing contingency plans that may allow for ongoing digital learning in new courses at that time. That is to say that pupils currently in S3 may find that around early May, content for their new courses is published via Glow etc.
It should be noted that the timetable for next session is not due to be created until mid-April. We are aware of a small number of pupils yet to complete their options interview. In the run up to Easter we will conduct telephone or digital interviews. Alternatively, young people can email their options in to us using the ‘Contact Us’ page on our website.
Communication
Finally, can I please encourage you to ask friends with young people in attendance at our school to follow us on Twitter/Facebook and download the school app. The school homepage and social media feeds will be updated as and when necessary and will act as your main source of information during the school closure period. Access to the system we use to send SMS messages and direct emails from school is not guaranteed and as such those forms of communication are likely to be used less often than social media channels.
Kind Regards
Mr Kane
Headteacher
