Remote Education

Supporting learning when children cannot attend school

At Etwall Primary School, we believe that children learn best when they are in school, learning alongside their teachers and friends.

There may, however, be exceptional circumstances when it is not possible for an individual child, a group of children or the whole school to attend in person. In these circumstances, remote education can help children to continue their learning and remain connected with school.

The Department for Education is clear that remote education should not be viewed as an equal alternative to attending school. It should normally be considered only as a last resort where attendance at school is not possible but a child is able to continue learning. 

When might remote education be provided?

Remote education may be considered where:

🏫 School cannot open safely

There are exceptional circumstances which mean that the school, or part of the school, cannot safely open to pupils.

🏠 An individual child cannot attend

In limited circumstances, a child may be unable to attend school but remain well enough to learn.

Examples identified by the DfE include short-term absence while recovering from an infectious illness, operation or injury. In exceptional circumstances, remote education may also be considered where attendance is affected by SEND or a mental health need. Decisions in individual cases should be made carefully and, where remote education forms part of a reintegration plan, arrangements should be regularly reviewed. 

📚 What can families expect?

Where remote education is appropriate, we want children to continue to experience meaningful, ambitious learning which helps them keep up with their education.

Provision will take account of:

• the child's age and stage of development
• their individual circumstances
• any SEND or additional needs
• the child's home learning environment
• appropriate screen time and breaks
• the level of adult support that may reasonably be available at home. 

The DfE advises that remote learning should cover an appropriate range of subjects and may include direct teaching, independent activities, reading and assignments. Where necessary, schools should also consider printed resources and barriers to digital access. 

💙 Supporting children with SEND

We recognise that remote education may be more challenging for some children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Where a child with SEND requires remote education, we will consider how their individual needs can best be met and work collaboratively with their family. Schools' duties towards pupils with SEND continue to apply during periods of remote education, including duties concerning reasonable adjustments and special educational provision. 

For a child with an Education, Health and Care Plan, the school must work with the local authority to ensure the relevant statutory duties continue to be met. 

🤝 Working with families

Good communication between home and school is particularly important when a child cannot attend.

Where remote education is being considered for an individual pupil, we will work with the child and their parents or carers to understand their circumstances and the barriers preventing attendance.

Our priority remains supporting the child to return successfully to learning in school as soon as this is appropriate.

Providing remote education does not change our responsibility to address barriers to attendance and support a child's return to school. 

🔒 Keeping children safe

Keeping children safe remains central to our work when education is provided remotely.

Our safeguarding responsibilities continue to apply, including when children are learning online. The DfE states that schools should ensure their safeguarding and child protection arrangements reflect the potential use of remote online education. 

Families can find further information about safeguarding and online safety within the relevant sections of our website.

📄 Our Remote Learning Policy

Our full Remote Learning Policy provides further information about our arrangements for remote learning.

Download our Remote Learning Policy

Our current Remote learning policy 2026 was reviewed in September 2026 and is scheduled for review again in September 2027.