Parents ‘not replacing teachers in lockdown’

All schools are closed this week, after Covid cases were detected in eight educational establishments. It is hoped they will be able to reopen to vulnerable children and children of key workers soon, but it is unclear when they could reopen to all pupils.

The document aims to give parents details of how the distance learning programme will work.

Education, Sport & Culture president Andrea Dudley-Owen thanked the staff from across education for their hard work and effort preparing to deliver the distance learning programme.

‘Having done distance learning with my kids in the first lockdown, I know it can be challenging,’ she said.

‘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 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.

Getting the programme up and running has been a challenge, with some teaching staff testing positive for Covid.

There was a soft start earlier this week to the distance learning, but resources have varied between schools.

Civil Contingencies Authority chairman Peter Ferbrache said earlier this week that education staff were trying their best.

All schools and the College of FE have been supplying parents and students with material this week.

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 while some young people may need additional support from parents, distance learning has been specifically designed to encourage independent learning as much as possible.

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