Now illegal to let students isolate without work

From today (21 Oct) the Government has made it illegal for schools to let isolating children sit at home without work – placing additional strain on teachers and remote learning models.

Responding to the news, Simon Carter, Director at RM Education, has commented on why this now means that remote learning technologies must be implemented by schools, and what it is that schools should be doing to manage this. 

Simon Carter, Director at RM Education:

“It’s no secret that the coronavirus outbreak has upended traditional teaching methods. And, with tougher Covid rules coming into force every day, it’s clear that remote learning is no longer a temporary feature – but a permanent one.

“In fact, remote learning has become so important that the Government has now felt compelled to introduce legislation – effective today – making it illegal for any school to let isolating children sit at home without work. For many schools, this won’t be the challenge it once was, having invested in some form of remote learning during lockdown and are accomplished at using it to continue the education of their pupils. For others who have yet to make this step, this is the “stick” to follow the “carrot” from the Government which has already offered to fully fund schools’ own remote learning capability.

“Importantly, this is not a wasted investment. Whilst the pandemic shows little indication of going away anytime soon, once we do get on top of it, the investment in remote learning will reap rewards for many years to come. Schools can use lockdown as the catalyst to adopt a “blended learning” approach, where remote education and classroom-based learning can work in tandem, allowing teachers to focus on what they do best. Quite simply, we have to look to the future, and recognise that if any good has come from the pandemic it has been to introduce new teaching techniques that should stand the test of time”.

Remote Education Temporary Continuity Direction: explanatory note 

An explanation of the Coronavirus Act 2020 Provision of Remote Education (England) Temporary Continuity Direction published 01 Oct 2020.