A report into remote learning has report made 10 recommendations and establishes a consistent set of standards should schools be forced to close again.

All schools shut on March 23, with the exception of 14 educational hubs that were kept open for the most vulnerable and children of key workers.

While some teachers were able to provide remote lessons to some students, this was not the case for all, with some of the island’s students relying solely on home schooling for the lockdown period.

Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson asked the Education Service to lead a review into remote learning, engaging with teachers, students and parents and examined all relevant learning data.

Dr Allinson said he ’fully endorses the recommendations that can help all of us involved in education to build resilience and confidence in our service and ensure our young people can achieve their potential’.

He added: ’We had to adapt quickly to an unprecedented situation in March, and we must learn from this so that we are better prepared should a further lockdown materialise.

’I would like to thank all those teachers who have contributed to this important review. The quality and consistency of lessons and feedback and the support and technology needed must all now be considered so that all our pupils receive the best education possible.’

The 10 recommendations are:

â?¢ Every school should have in place a protocol for the continuity of learning, should the island experience any future outbreaks/emergencies which result in school closure â?¢ In the event of any future disruption to normal functioning, schools should be ready to share plans/protocols for shifting to remote provision immediately, and maintain high levels of communication with pupils and parents/carers on at least a weekly, or where possible, daily basis

â?¢ If operating a remote or blended learning model, schools will plan a programme that is of a similar proportion to the core teaching pupils would receive in school, with flexibility for different subjects

â?¢ Schools should ensure access is given to high quality remote education resources, and should undertake some informal monitoring of the quality of remote learning provided by teachers on a regular basis

â?¢ Schools should set clear expectations on how regularly teachers will check work and provide feedback to pupils

â?¢ The corporate platforms are formed from a base platform of MS Teams which can deliver all requirements from video to full online provision. Tactical use of Google and Zoom is also supported whilst a more strategic position is developed

â?¢ DESC and schools should ensure appropriate support is given to pupils in Years 11 and 13 during the academic year 2020/21, in order to close any gaps in learning arisen due to the Covid-19 crisis

â?¢ DESC should further develop a team of regional remote learning advocates/experts, available to support theirs and other schools in the event of further disruption, and in the general pursuit of a more blended provision model in the future

â?¢ DESC and schools should ensure staff receive appropriate training, and are given access to high quality professional development opportunities relating to remote/online/digital learning platforms and technologies

â?¢ DESC and schools should ensure the provision of remote learning and teaching is appropriately monitored, evaluated and reviewed/ Where possible, existing internal and external review and evaluation mechanisms should be employed