Sheffield primary school takes the classroom online to help educate children during lockdown
and live on Freeview channel 276
Pye Bank Primary School, in Pitsmoor, launched it’s ‘virtual school’ on Monday, April 20, as part of a collaboration with parents to help combat the challenges of teaching and learning at home.
It has been led by deputy headteacher, Rhea Kurcewicz, and network manager, Rob Spencer, and means that every child in every year group now has access to daily videoed maths and English lessons, as well as those linked to history and science – each taught by one of the children’s teachers.
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Hide AdThere is also an art blog, family fun session, a stories blog for daily storytime with teaching assistants, Crystal Zone blog which supports children with Special Educational Needs, and a singing lesson with the school’s music specialist. There is genuinely something for everyone and we are adding new aspects each week.
Headteacher Maureen Andrews, who runs her own blog which includes assemblies, said: “There is genuinely something for everyone and we are adding new aspects each week.
“As headteacher, I feel immensely proud of the children, the parents and the staff here at Pye Bank and in Pitsmoor. Creating the Virtual School has been an incredible team effort across the staff, but ensuring there is an impact on children’s learning has meant true partnership with our amazing families.”
Ms. Andrews said that Pye Bank has an ‘amazing’ community of children and parents who value education and that many families have found a way to support their children’s learning at home, despite the many challenges they face during lockdown.
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Hide AdShe added: “If parents didn’t prioritise the lessons in their children’s day then there would be no impact but children at Pye Bank are still learning and that is down to our wonderful parents and staff, and of course our truly fabulous children.
“We have been supported every day in our endeavours by Diocese of Sheffield Academies Trust (DSAT), our Academy trust, who are fully invested in our school community and I have felt very humbled working with so many dedicated individuals.”