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Remote Learning Provision

WA Online

If circumstances again require learning to happen from home, our WA Online allows students to follow their full timetable from 08:30 every day, engaging in teaching and learning via Zoom and Google Classroom. We are proud of the success of this provision: every Westminster Academy student has a Chromebook and access to a wealth of online resources, and staff are experienced in using online platforms to deliver outstanding teaching and learning. Students are reminded to contact class teachers, tutors or the Helpdesk if they have any issues.

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Guidance on the use of WA Online is provided to students who require access to the virtual school. The timings of the day are as normal, and can be found here. Our tips for parents and carers to support students, and specifically students with special educational needs and vulnerabilities, can be found below.

Read more about our remote provision here. 

Tips for parents and carers to support learning during WA Online

Here are some tips for supporting your child at home in the event of WA Online:

  • Use reflections to ‘bookend’ the day: At the start and end of each day of WA Online, ask your child about how their learning has gone, and offer opportunities for them to reflect on their learning with you. This helps with a process called metacognition which enables children to grow as good independent learners.
  • Maintain routines and structure: We follow the normal timetable for each student during WA Online. This is important for children’s wellbeing as it maintains structure, balance and routine. To support with this, aim to maintain a routine for your child with waking up and going to bed at normal schoolday times, and check to see that your child is registering for their lessons on time.
  • Separate learning from free time: Try to keep learning spaces and times separate and distinct from free spaces and time at home. This again helps to maintain structure and routine. 
  • Maintain wellbeing: As this is potentially a difficult time, looking for ways to support your child’s wellbeing is really important. One helpful way you can do this is using the ‘5 Ways of Wellbeing’ which was created by the New Economics Foundation.  You can use these as a checklist with your child, and try to challenge them to make sure they have done the 5 ways everyday. 
  • Break up bigger tasks: Sometimes students can find longer, extended tasks or assignments overwhelming. You can support your child by helping them divide bigger tasks into smaller, more manageable "chunks". You can use a timer on your phone or in your kitchen to time each chunk too, which helps motivate children and keep up a strong pace of learning.  
  • Help your child with their work: If your child is not sure how to complete their work, there are lots of resources online that can help with understanding key ideas and concepts. For example, Hegarty Maths videos, Khan Academy videos, or BBC Bitesize. 

Please do contact your child’s tutor or teachers if you need any support or have any questions.

Supporting students with SEND and vulnerabilities

We appreciate the demand put on you as parents/carers to support your child/children with their learning and general wellbeing at home. Please see our recommended links to aid you and your families during these difficult times:  

  • Place2Be shares ways to support children who may be especially vulnerable during times of uncertainty
  • Easy read information on Covid-19 - Mencap: Mencap have produced easy read guides to coronavirus which is accessible for people with a learning disability to understand and read. 
  • Makaton: Information about the coronavirus translated into Makaton symbols.
  • COVIBOOK - Mindheart: This illustrated story and workbook is available in 25 different languages and can be printed out for children to draw on. The story anticipates the emotional world of children as they experience coronavirus. It has been created for children age 2-7 but would be appropriate for children with SEND. 
  • Coronavirus social story - Carol Gray: This ‘social story’ has been written to help communicate coronavirus to autistic children, presenting the information in a literal way.
  • Tips for coping - OCD Action: OCD Action has put together some helpful tips for those struggling during this particularly challenging time.
  • Cornoavirus: A Book for Children: This illustrated book explains the implications of coronavirus. It has been created for primary school aged children but may be appropriate for students with SEND.
  • UNICEF has put together a set of general ideas and tips for parenting during the coronavirus outbreak.

Resources for adult and children mental health and wellbeing: 

Once again, please do also access the support of Westminster Academy staff if you have any questions or concerns.

Should you require external support and guidance for your family at this time, please visit our COVID-19 - Local Authority Guidance for Parents and Carers page.