Online learning
Praise for Crieff High
The majority of Perth and Kinross pupils began lessons via remote learning again on Monday and will be taught that way until at least February 1 as a result of current Covid-19 restrictions.
Crieff High School came in for praise from parents this week for the way it is organising classes.
Head teacher John Donnelly explained the school had tweaked the way learning is delivered in line with feedback following the first lockdown period.
He told the Herald: “Crieff High School has made three important changes to our contingency planning following feedback received from our school community.
“The first of these is that our planning for this current lockdown includes young people following their school timetable.
“Parents and carers requested that we introduce this to provide our young people with greater structure to their day.
“Secondly, we are moving towards one online platform to streamline access for pupils and parents and carers to retain an overview of workload.
“This has been supplemented with the introduction of weekly year group overviews that families will have received on Friday.
“Lastly, young people explained that their best learning last time came when there was greater interaction with their peers and their teachers. Therefore, our teaching staff have planned for live-time learning and teaching episodes.
“It is clear to see after only the first two days of remote learning that pupil engagement is exceptionally positive and the quality of experience has improved compared to last time.
“In saying that, the views of our community were positive about our responsive approach to the March lockdown.
“Our teachers have been great and have really hit the ground running this term.”
Mr Donnelly continued: “At Crieff High School we highly value the views of our school community and we respond to these in order to best support our young people.
“I am confident that we are prepared for the current online learning situation with a high quality provision and I ask that if any young person or family member requires support, please do get in touch with us.”
Perth and Kinross Council has also set up a remote learning hub which includes advice for both parents and pupils as to how to get the best out of remote learning.
Conservative councillor Caroline Shiers, convener of the local authority’s lifelong learning committee, said pupils in the region are better prepared this time around for studying at home.
She commented: “A second lockdown is not something any of us wanted to see happen but what has been really encouraging has been the detailed planning and creativity from the executive director of education, Sheena Devlin, and all her staff.
“The support of everyone from head teachers, teachers and school staff has been first- class in planning for this eventuality and, despite the tight timescales and the Christmas break, there has been a huge amount of work put in to support for children, young people and their families for the return to learning.
“There has also been a targeted effort on support for our more vulnerable families over the period since March last year and that has continued right through Christmas and will continue for as long as needed.”