Horsham school’s lockdown learning provision hailed a success

A virtual school set up during the first lockdown has allowed pupils in Horsham to have daily face-to-face contact and to continue their normal timetable.
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Farlington School’s remote learning experience has enabled the children to have a structured day during each lockdown – and it has been well-received by both pupils and parents alike.

“We were hugely excited to launch our virtual school in March 2020,” said David Walker-Smith, head of curriculum.

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“We began planning two weeks before the school was due to close, so we had time to prepare the technology, create policies and train teachers.”

Farlington pupils with their Chromebooks SUS-210224-095758001Farlington pupils with their Chromebooks SUS-210224-095758001
Farlington pupils with their Chromebooks SUS-210224-095758001

From age seven upwards, Farlington pupils already work with Chromebook laptops as standard, both in and out of school, so with schools closed, teachers are able to deliver whole class lessons face-to-face, following the students’ normal timetables.

A full school day of lessons, including all subjects from English, maths and science, to modern languages, PE and drama - and even live cooking lessons - means that parents can get on with their own work, without worrying about their child’s learning or progress.

When the latest lockdown was announced in early January this year, the whole Farlington community was able to transition seamlessly back into remote learning.

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Farlington says parents have endlessly praised its virtual school, with one saying: “The structure and timetable of lessons has been consistent and comprehensive.

“Apart from the loss of actual physical interaction between pupils, I don’t think there has been any meaningful drop in the level or quality of education received via remote learning, which is quite a remarkable achievement by Farlington staff.”

The effect of school closures on children’s mental health has been widely discussed in the media, but Farlington believes the daily face-to-face interaction provided by the virtual school, together with having a well-defined structure to each day, has made a huge difference to students’ wellbeing, and says it has counteracted the sense of isolation that would otherwise inevitably occur during such a difficult time.

In the senior school, tutors meet with their tutor groups every morning, as they would on any normal day, and teachers in the prep school meet with their classes for registration at the start of each day of virtual school.

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Another parent, whose daughter recently started at Farlington, said: “During the first lockdown [before joining Farlington], my daughter’s mental health was massively impacted by not interacting with any of her classmates or friends for a very long time, probably made worse by being an only child.

“She completely switched off from all of her friends and withdrew into herself. This time, the virtual school and having her classmates and teacher on screen has made a huge difference to her wellbeing.

“We are over the moon with the difference that Farlington has made to her life already!”

Whilst remote learning will never replace normal school life, the whole Farlington community has worked together during each lockdown to ensure that learning continues.

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“I am immensely proud of the manner in which all staff and students have adapted to virtual school,” says Louise Higson, headmistress at Farlington. “It will never replace real school, but during the lockdown periods it has meant that the continuity of education has not been affected. I do, however, hope to be welcoming all my students and staff back to the Farlington site soon!”

Farlington will be holding its next virtual opening event on Saturday, March 13 at 10am.

To find out more or to reserve your place, visit www.farlingtonschool.com