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For anyone who needs to hear this, it’s ok if you’re not doing ‘live’ lessons! Some schools are doing it really well. We’re not doing it at all. Here’s why;
1. Siblings can’t be online on one device at the same time (yes we’ve done our best to provide enough devices but they don’t all have their own). We are committed to equitable experiences for all during lockdown and a live offer wouldn’t align with that.
2. Some parents want live to allow pupils to check in with classmates. We have a ‘Posts’ page on Teams. It allows pupils to engage with each other in a safe way.
3. Assemblies allow pupils to continue to feel part of the community. A live lesson wouldn’t necessarily provide that.
4. Learning is our focus. Work submitted on Teams is checked and pupils get individual feedback. We’re not convinced a live lesson provides the opportunity for this level of feedback.
5. Even if a live lesson does provide this level of feedback, when would staff have the time? They are working hard to manage everything. Time out to teach live cuts down on time interacting with pupils individually.
6. There are still 3 weeks left of spring 1 and no certainty about ending lockdown. Whatever we do must be sustainable. Live lessons are exhausting. Workload is already far exceeding normal teaching. We must safeguard the wellbeing of our staff.
7. Our staff are already essentially ‘live’, online and available throughout the school day and beyond. A live element wouldn’t add anything to the quality of our offer and may in fact compromise it. Video explanations, regular feedback, direct interaction with pupils, dedicated
class email addresses for parents; it’s an excellent offer and I’m incredibly proud of our staff.
Whatever your school does you’ve got to be convinced it’s going to minimise the impact of the lockdown and keep ALL pupils learning and making progress.
If live doesn’t allow for this, don’t do it, despite anybody who tries to convince you live is best. To those who are doing live lessons and doing them well, 
. If it works for your school, community and ultimately your pupils, good job. If it doesn’t, stop it.
. If it works for your school, community and ultimately your pupils, good job. If it doesn’t, stop it.
