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Coronavirus Kent: A school in Sevenoaks finds way to continue online

Boris Johnson may have closed schools and sent all the pupils home, but lessons are continuing for many.

Radnor House School in Sevenoaks is just one that is continuing to provide an education through virtual learning.

Graham Pigeon delivering an English lesson
Graham Pigeon delivering an English lesson

The school in Coombe Bank Drive used the last couple of days of last week to test the systems and familiarise both staff and pupils with what would be needed.

School spokesperson Hannah Spencer said: "Technology always plays a key role at Radnor House as a tool to enhance the educational experience of all pupils.

"Teachers have spent some time adapting their classes and preparing their pupils to ensure we have a robust long term solution in place for remote learning in response to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 virus."

The school is delivering lessons via Microsoft Teams and OneNote for Years 4 – 13 and via its online journal, Tapestry, for the nursery children through to Year 3.

Miss Spencer said: "All of our pupils and parents have been given full and detailed guidance on the technology and how it will support their children’s learning while away from the school site."

Radnor House School in Sevenoaks
Radnor House School in Sevenoaks

She said: "School is not closed – it has simply moved to a virtual environment!"

Lessons started today at 8.20am - although many pupils logged on early, keen to get started.

The prep school children started with a virtual assembly at 8.20am, with lessons a little later at 8.40am.

Every form tutor has developed a daily plan to deliver their lessons for all our academic subjects: drama, music, art and even PE.

Assessments will still take place and feedback given to the children.

Teacher Richard Stewart delivers a science lesson to an empty classroom - all his pupils are on line
Teacher Richard Stewart delivers a science lesson to an empty classroom - all his pupils are on line

Miss Spencer said: "With the technology we have, the tutors are able to chat with the class, as a group or individually, and review and feedback on their learning on a daily basis."

The head of the prep school, Deborah Spencer, said: "I have started my day as head of a virtual school.

"It is such a strange feeling. I did not go into teaching to be apart from children, but we are all finding ways to connect.

"We've been trialling remote learning since Thursday - so we are a few days in now.

"The teachers have been utterly incredible at finding new and creative ways to teach children remotely and still maintain that all important pastoral connection.

"The children have set up their home classrooms and been proud to show them to us. They have also written up their timetables and and have been excited to take part in maths lessons as well as 'virtual' swimming lessons!"

Break and lunch times are scheduled in with the lessons.

And all children are being given some one-to-one time with their tutors to smooth out any worries.

To keep the children amused and connected, the staff have also released a video entitled The How Must Go On!

News from our universities, local primary and secondary schools including Ofsted inspections and league tables can be found here.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

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