Teachers look to alternative lessons

The school said that using the online teaching platform Moodle, teaching staff have uploaded activities including baking, home engineering, interactive art gallery tours and boxing.

A spokesman said: “The idea was to give pupils and parents an additional list of activities that differ to the excellent online learning programme the school already provides.

“Over the past year life has been hard for everyone in different ways and to different degrees but none more so than for our young people for whom a year is a big part of their lives.

“They have missed being able to attend school and see their friends and they have been concerned about their future, exams and gaining the necessary qualifications for the next stage in their lives.

“At the same time teachers have had to cope with ever changing scenarios and decisions which have been made, changed and then needed to be implemented at short notice.”

The spokesman added that a system of on-line teaching and monitoring had been implemented.

“This has involved both excellent material being produced for pupils and the involvement of staff in keeping in regular touch with families and pupils to ensure that they have all they need in the way of technical equipment and the right environment in which to study,” added the spokesman.

“Home visits and phone calls have all been part of this as well as ensuring that families requiring assistance with food provision have all been catered for.

“In addition to lessons on line, the school has also produced an enrichment program which has provided pupils with opportunities to engage in a range of activities.”

The school is now looking to the return of all pupils on Monday, March 8, in line with Government advice on the Roadmap out of Covid-19 lockdown.

Testing of staff and pupils is being arranged, along with coming up with how teachers can best award pupils exam grades, and how to help pupils make strong academic progress moving forward while also providing enrichment opportunities.

The spokesman added: “Wetherby High School values its very close relationship with pupils, parents, and the community and is looking forward to a return to school and a new term ahead.”

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