Even science lessons are being carried out at home in Stansted

Distance learning has a new meaning since the coronavirus.

Teachers are setting up fun educational activities for children to do from home - and the teachers are working from home too.

Using the school’s education technology app and website ClassDojo, teachers at Magna Carta Primary in Stansted are able to connect with pupils and their families.

A book club has been launched, with children able to read the same free e-book from Oxford Owl together over two weeks.

The children are invited to discuss the book and share their comments on ClassDojo.

Science experiments that can be carried out safely at home are being set as part of the new Snap, Crackle and Pop project every two weeks.

Pupils can respond to the tasks set by sharing their photos, writen work and messages.

The school has created a home-learning page on its website to share useful links and suggestions with parents.

Headteacher Marios Solomonides said: “Teachers have been putting all sorts of ideas on ClassDojo for our children and families to get involved with.

“After Easter, our teachers will start to put new learning online each week. We hope to start videoing lessons for children. We are being forced to think about remote learning and alternative ways to teach and motivate.

“We have always used ClassDojo to keep in contact with parents, so it is a system our families and teachers are already familiar with. We are now using the system in new ways which we will continue with after school reopens as it keeps communication going between teachers and parents.

“Any teacher can go on and add information or work.

“I can see what our children are doing and they can tell us how they are feeling.

“It’s just like a safe, internal social media.”

Mr Solomonides his staff have been phoning families to ensure the new routine is working for them.

He said: “We want our children to know we have not forgotten about them and that we care about them. They have been so happy to talk to us and to tell us what they have been doing. It is lovely and makes it all a little bit more normal for them. We are trying to make children still feel a part of the school and their class and thinking of ways to motivate them.”