Expectations for Blended and Remote Learning

Blended Learning provides a flexible approach to teaching and learning, whereby, pupils learn some aspects of their course in school and where necessary, some at home. 

Local Authority Expectations 

In terms of Blended learning expectations all schools across Falkirk Council will ensure they are able: 

  • To meet the guidelines and expectations of school recovery and improvement plans in line with Local Authority and Scottish Government guidance  
  • To provide a high quality learning experience for all pupils using a hybrid* learning environment  
  • To provide appropriate and relevant support for all staff, parents and pupils to help meet the needs of all young people 
  • To ensure there is a coherent, planned and systematic approach to support home learning for all pupils irrespective of context 
  • To increase engagement with pupils and parents when accessing online learning from home 
  • To continue to support positive relationships and wellbeing across the school community 

*combination of virtual and classroom based learning 

School Expectations

All schools will look to meet these expectations by: 

  • supporting parental engagement and understanding of what the blended learning model will look like for their child in their school 
  • Managing and supporting staff planning and delivery of all learning to all classes at all levels/stages 
  • Having an established a way of communicating with parents/carers to support pupil wellbeing and engagement with online learning 
  • ensuring all online learning platforms are accurate and accessed regularly by staff and pupils 
  • ensuring all young people have access to lesson content and resources whether online or as a paper copy 
  • ensuring there are accessible ways to assess learning and collect appropriate evidence to support teacher judgement and pupil attainment 
  • offering and providing relevant staff CPD to continue to support staff with online learning platforms to maximise pupil engagement with their learning 

Contexts for Blended Learning

Blended Learning refers to occasions when children and young people who are learning in school will be required to take part in learning at home for a period and for specific reasons. This can also be referred to as Home Learning.  The expectation is that this will happen in the following circumstances 

  1. Self-isolating (Positive test/Track & Trace/Quarantine)  
  2. Partial closure or whole class isolating in Primary/ASN sector  
  3. Full school closure 

Please note: 

  • When a pupil is self-isolating and is ill/showing symptoms, then there would be no requirement for home learning tasks to be completed
  • Each setting (ELC, Primary, Secondary, ASN) will work within the Local Authority expectations set out above to suit the diverse needs of their own context 

For context 1: 

Pupils are expected to:  

  • access stage appropriate learning and resources through an online platform 
  • have daily live-time interaction* with a teacher (each school will provide their specific guidance) 
  • submit work to their class teacher/s for marking and feedback to measure, assess and communicate progress and development needs (this will be age and stage dependent) 

 

Parents will support their child with online learning by: 

  • communicating any concerns with their child’s learning at home to an identified member of staff in the school 
  • supporting their child to access online learning platforms and learning tasks 
  • accessing technical help and resources to support their child with online learning  

 

The school will: 

  • maintain contact with parent/carer to ensure young person fulfils isolation period and the school receives a negative test result 
  • provide technical help and resources to support parents/carers and children with online learning 

For context 2: 

Pupils are expected to:  

  • actively participate in all planned home learning activities 
  • access stage appropriate learning and resources through an online platform 
  • have daily live-time interaction* with a teacher (each school will provide their specific guidance on this)  
  • submit work to their teacher/s for marking and feedback to measure, assess and communicate progress and development needs (this will be age and stage dependent) 
  • respond and act upon teacher feedback to ensure continued progress 

 

Parents will support their child with online learning by: 

  • working in partnership with the school to encourage their child to actively participate in their online learning activities  
  • communicating any concerns with their child’s learning at home to an identified member of staff in the school 
  • supporting their child to access online learning platforms and learning tasks 
  • accessing technical help and resources to support their child with online learning 

 

The school will: 

  • maintain contact with parent/carer to ensure young person fulfils isolation period and the school receives a negative test result 
  • provide technical help and resources to support parents/carers and children with online learning 

For context 3: 

National Guidance 

Falkirk Council Guidance

Pupils are expected to:  

  • actively participate in all planned home learning activities 
  • access stage appropriate learning and resources through an online platform 
  • have daily live-time interaction* with a teacher (each school will provide their specific guidance on this)  
  • submit work to their teacher/s for marking and feedback to measure, assess and communicate progress and development needs (this will be age and stage dependent) 
  • respond and act upon teacher feedback to ensure continued progress 

 

Parents will support their child with online learning by: 

  • working in partnership with the school to encourage their child to actively participate in their online learning activities  
  • communicating any concerns with their child’s learning at home to an identified member of staff in the school 
  • supporting their child to access online learning platforms and learning tasks 
  • accessing technical help and resources to support their child with online learning 

 

The school will: 

  • maintain contact with parent/carer using channels
  • provide technical help and resources to support parents/carers and children with online learning 
  • continue to review and evaluate the remote learning offer for all children and young people
  • monitor the engagement and impact on children and young people and their families