With schools now closed to pupils, except those who are vulnerable or children of Key Workers, the world of virtual lessons can be scary. Follow the links below to understand how you can teach meaningful lessons, virtually and safely.

• Case studies on remote education practice are available for schools to learn from each other
• Departmental guidance on safeguarding and remote education including planning remote education strategies and teaching remotely
• London Grid for Learning guidance, including platform specific advice
• National cyber security centre guidance on choosing, configuring and deploying video conferencing
• National cyber security centre guidance on how to set up and use video conferencing
• UK Safer Internet Centre guidance on safe remote learning

It's important to make pupils aware of the following support networks;

• Childline for free and confidential advice
• UK Safer Internet Centre to report and remove harmful online content
• CEOP for advice on making a report about online abuse

Following the latest DfE Guidance on all pupils returning in September, the following extract outlines the reference to physical activity:

Please note, the guidance remains the same for those currently teaching vulnerable or Key Worker children in school, January 2021.

"Schools have the flexibility to decide how physical education, sport and physical activity will be provided whilst following the measures in their system of controls. Pupils should be kept in consistent groups,

Sports equipment thoroughly cleaned between each use by different individual groups, and contact sports avoided. Outdoor sports should be prioritised where possible, and large indoor spaces used where it is not, maximising distancing between pupils and paying scrupulous attention to cleaning and hygiene. This is particularly important in a sports setting because of the way in which people breathe during exercise. External facilities can also be used in line with government guidance for the use of, and travel to and from, those facilities

Schools should refer to the following advice:

• guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation and guidance from Sport England for grassroot sport
• advice from organisations such as the Association for Physical Education and the Youth Sport Trust

Schools are able to work with external coaches, clubs and organisations for curricular and extra-curricular activities where they are satisfied that this is safe to do so. Schools should consider carefully how such arrangements can operate within their wider protective measures.

Activities such as active miles, making break times and lessons active and encouraging active travel help enable pupils to be physically active while encouraging physical distancing."

In light of Schools closing because of Covid-19 several websites have now put together FREE resources which you can share with staff, parents or anyone who could make use of them. Simply click on the images below for all the details.