Sompting Abbotts' distance learning programme is judged "highly effective"
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Dear Mr Douch,
I wanted to write, before the end of term, to congratulate you on the exceptional efforts being made by Sompting Abbots to provide first class education to the pupils in these unprecedented and challenging times.
I have been nothing but impressed by the efforts made by all the teaching staff to embrace new methods of remote learning and continue to provide a full curriculum to the pupils over the past few months.
Whilst no experience will fully substitute for the face-to-face learning and peer interaction that ‘normal’ school provides, Sompting Abbotts seems to have managed far better than many schools to put together a timetable that allows the pupils to progress in all their subjects.
My son has been working hard and I feel the balance of live teaching and self directed learning has been just right – challenging but achievable. He has certainly grown and become more independent as a result of this experience.
Year 7 Parent
Immediately following the UK lockdown and schools closures, Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School began providing all its pupils with a full programme of online learning. This has been teacher-led, using Google Classroom and live Zoom video lessons.
All year groups began receiving online classes April onwards from the start of the summer term. In Many and June, our Reception and Years 1 to 3 year groups were able to return in person to school for lessons, with all teaching following the Government ‘bubble’ and health and safety guidelines, and as much outdoor teaching as possible.
Outdoor teaching was prioritised where possible for those of our pupils who were able to return to in-school lessons during the schools closure in June and July. This is Year 3 class learning French ‘en plein air’.
For all children not in school, staff operated a virtual timetable from 9am to 4.30pm. It replicates the children’s normal school timetable and curriculum.
These children are in ‘virtual school’ for registration, academic classes and sports, art and drama activities. They also enjoy lunch breaks and form time.
“It has been a learning exercise for all staff to get our online programme up and running so fast,” said Mr Douch. “But parents and children are really engaged.”
“We’re lucky that our low pupil-teacher ratio makes our remote learning provision very effective. It’s allowed us to continue the one-to-one attention that our school prides itself on. Our pupils have not fallen behind or lost out on their education due to the pandemic.”
A Year 3 Maths class with form teacher Mrs Kelly
“Effective remote learning provision”
Parents rated the school’s online provision in a survey. On average they gave the programme 9/10. The survey resulted in comments from parents including these:
“You’ve all done an amazing job for our school. The work and care, together with information from you all, has been outstanding. We can’t thank you enough.”
“We are grateful for how quickly you have got this up and running. We appreciate how hard it is for all teachers to learn a new way to teach.”
“The quality and level of remote learning provision has been excellent. My child has felt supported, is engaged, and loves the Zoom meetings. I’ve been impressed by the attention to both academic and pastoral development.”
“You’ve done a fantastic job! My children are enjoying the Zoom lessons. I’m so happy the provision is highly effective and there for them to keep on track with their learning, thank you.”
“I’d like to say that Sompting Abbotts’ staff have proved yet again how seriously they take their commitment to our children’s education. They’ve set up distance learning so quickly and effectively.”
Sompting Abbotts remained open to all children of its key worker parents throughout the schools closure period.
