Distance learning guidance sent to parents to explain high-quality programme

Parents will today receive a guidance document direct from their child's school explaining how its distance learning programme will work.

The guidance aims to answers questions parents might have and explain how schools and the College of Further Education will best support students at this time. Staff have worked incredibly hard to produce a quality distance learning programme across more than 20 education settings.

This is a significant logistical and educational challenge, which combined with staffing challenges across many sites led to the 'soft start' approach taken so far this week. It is important to note that all schools and the College of FE have been supplying parents and students with material this week and that any parents who have not yet been able to access this information should contact their child's school for advice and support.

Parents are being reassured that there is no expectation that they suddenly take on the role of a teacher. While some young people may need additional support from parents, distance learning has been specifically designed to encourage independent learning as much as possible.

Likewise, distance learning aims to support parents by providing flexibility for students to complete the work around family commitments. We are very proud of the way that the entire education community across the island has pulled together so positively to respond so effectively to this rapid change in operations.
Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen, President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, said:

'I want to say a big thank you to all our staff across education for their hard work and effort preparing to deliver our distance learning programme. Having done distance learning with my kids in the first lockdown I know it can be challenging. It's important for parents and carers to know that there is no expectation for them to replace classroom teachers. It's easy to say, but please don't be hard on yourselves. School staff will be available to guide and assist parents so please get in contact if you need help.'

The distance learning guidance can be found at https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/education

Notes to Media
Please contact Joel de Woolfson
Joel.dewoolfson@gov.gg

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