Remote Learning News

As a number of pupils continue to self-isolate, work is being provided on our own Google Classrooms. Additional work/learning can be accessed at e-Sgoil, West_OS and the National E-Learning offer for both Broad General Education and Senior Phase (S4-S6)

All pupils can now access recorded video lessons on West_OS using their Glow login to support their learning and revision at home! There are lots of quality assured video lessons available for all our pupils across a range of subjects. Pupils will find this a great resource to support their learning and revision on Glow. If you do not have your Glow Login details please email the School Office to request these from our Admin Team).

The SQA provide recent past papers and assignments on their website alongside marking schemes. Understanding Standards provides a wide range of subject-specific materials that explain the national standards required in SQA assessments.

Twitter Accounts: Education Scotland| eSgoil | Glow | Scholar |SQAWest_OS

Google Classroom Glow Scholar SQA Understanding Standards Education Scotland e-Sgoil West_OS  

Published: Wed 2 Feb 2022

As a number of pupils continue to self-isolate, work is being provided on our own Google Classrooms. Additional work/learning can be accessed at e-Sgoil, West_OS and the National E-Learning offer for both Broad General Education and Senior Phase (S4-S6)

All pupils can now access recorded video lessons on West_OS using their Glow login to support their learning and revision at home! There are lots of quality assured video lessons available for all our pupils across a range of subjects. Pupils will find this a great resource to support their learning and revision on Glow. If you do not have your Glow Login details please email the School Office to request these from our Admin Team).

The SQA provide recent past papers and assignments on their website alongside marking schemes. Understanding Standards provides a wide range of subject-specific materials that explain the national standards required in SQA assessments.

Twitter Accounts: Education Scotland| eSgoil | Glow | Scholar |SQAWest_OS

Google Classroom Glow Scholar SQA Understanding Standards Education Scotland e-Sgoil West_OS  

Published: Fri 3 Sep 2021

We were delighted to welcome children and young people back to school at the start of the new term in August.

We are extremely grateful to you as parents and carers for your understanding and ongoing support through what has been a very difficult 18 months for everyone as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for education and learning have been significant and far-reaching. Full details are available in the letter from Nicola McDowell, Head of Education on Friday 3 September 2021.

Published: Tue 11 May 2021

The following statement was released by The National Qualifications 2021 Group on Monday 10 May 2021.  It is appreciated that you may have concerns regarding the levels of disruption to your learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effects this will have on gathering the evidence that your teachers or lecturers need to determine provisional results for National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher.

Flexibility in gathering learner evidence

Provisional results in 2021 will be based on teachers and lecturers using assessment evidence of your knowledge, skills and understanding of the course. For teachers and lecturers to do this, you will need to complete tests or assessments set by your school, college or training provider.

The key difference between the formal SQA exam diet, which was cancelled for 2021, and the assessments that you will take in your school, college or training provider is the flexibility around how and when assessments take place. This means that, as far as possible, there should be maximum opportunity for you to complete the required learning and be given the best chance to succeed in your course assessments. See below for more information about what to do if you feel this is not the case for you.

The flexibility available to teachers and lecturers this year means that the opportunities for gathering evidence do not need to be based on a single assessment. Schools, colleges and training providers are being encouraged to make use of this flexibility in gathering the right quality of assessment evidence that shows your knowledge, skills and understanding of your course.

Schools, colleges and training providers also need to provide additional assessment arrangements, as they would under normal circumstances, for those learners who are disabled or have identified additional support needs.

If you need any additional assessment arrangements, and do not feel they are being provided to you, or you feel that your opportunity for generating evidence is being restricted please speak to your teacher or lecturer in the first instance. Schools, colleges and training providers have established processes in place and will advise you on what to do should you remain unhappy with the outcome of those discussions. This may include, for example, at a later stage, further discussion with your headteacher/centre manager or engagement with other local processes beyond the centre, if necessary.

Summary of steps taken to address disruption to learning

A number of steps have been taken to support teachers and lecturers and to help ensure as many learners as possible can generate the assessment evidence required to decide their provisional results. This includes:

  • removing assignments and reducing content in many National Courses
  • giving schools, colleges and training providers more time to submit your provisional results
  • enhancing the e-Sgoil E-learning offer to support learners who for a variety of reasons have experienced extreme disruption to their learning
  • offering a small number of learners, who have completed their course but who have been unable to complete all the required evidence, the option to receive their Scottish Qualifications Certificate at a later date.

What to do next

If your personal circumstances have resulted in extreme disruption to your learning, including if you are or have been shielding, please speak to your school, college or training provider. As mentioned above, they will have established processes in place and will advise you on the options available to you and what to do should you remain unhappy with the outcome of your discussions. This may include, for example, at a later stage, further discussion with your headteacher/centre manager or engagement with other local processes beyond the centre, if necessary.

To stay up to date on National Qualifications for 2021 visit www.sqa.org.uk/learners

Published: Sat 17 Apr 2021

East Lothian Council provide free home to school (HTS) transport for pupils who live more than two miles away from their local primary or secondary school.

New arrangements have been put in place from 20 April 2021 to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all passengers, drivers and escorts. These arrangements apply whether you travel on a contracted route, public service using a smart card, or in a taxi. Transport provision has reverted to August 2020 system. Additional buses are in operation as primary and secondary pupils can no longer share transport, even if they are from the same family group. Bus times may also have changed and for some secondary schools buses are doing double runs to account for the 1m social distancing restraint on capacity.

Published: Thu 1 Apr 2021

What is a provisional grade? Provisional grades are the grades we will submit to SQA on 25 June, based on all of the ‘demonstrated attainment’ evidence we have for each pupil. These grades will only become final grades once the SQA has confirmed them and these will be the grades that each candidate receives on their SQA certificate on Tuesday 10 August 2021. Full details are available in document issued on Thursday 1 April 2021 from our Head Teacher.

Published: Wed 31 Mar 2021

If your child / young person tests positive for Covid-19 during the holiday period please email the details to covidinschools@eastlothian.gov.uk

Only if you have no access to email then call East Lothian Council on 01875 613921

 

Published: Mon 29 Mar 2021

It is nice to be able to communicate exceptionally positive news at the end of a long and challenging term for staff, pupils and parents alike. We are very much looking forward to welcoming all of our young people back to full-time schooling on Tuesday 20 April 2021, following the Easter break. The First Minister will confirm this on Tuesday 6 April 2021 based on the continued suppression of the virus. The full return to school will be welcome news to all of our school community, and for once, during this pandemic, it finally feels like we are getting back to some level of normality that will be longer lasting with the reduced transmission rates and the roll out of the vaccine. I am sure, as I said at Parent Council last week, we are all glad to see school/education return to our young people’s lives, and that, coupled with the anticipation of being able to see our families and friends again, life is feeling much more positive again. The improving weather and longer days will, I am sure, also help to support everyone’s mental health and wellbeing. Full details are available in the letter issued on Monday 29 March 2021 from our Head Teacher.

Published: Mon 29 Mar 2021

Thank you for your continued efforts to facilitate the safe return to school for your child/ children. The measures your school has in place, and the guidance provided by the Scottish Government when your child/children are not in school, are vital for continuing to protect children, staff and you, as parents/carers. Everything you do to follow these measures, will keep the spread of the virus down, and help to ensure the smooth and full reopening of schools. Full details are available in the letter issued from NHS Lothian on Monday 29 March 2021.

Published: Fri 26 Mar 2021

It would be useful for young people to highlight their assessments on the timetable issued. We will issue pupils with a template to complete on Monday/Tuesday afternoon and give some supported time to complete their own personal assessment timetable to aid their planning and organisation. This should aid the creation of an appropriate study timetable, beginning over the Easter Break. Full details are available in the letter issued on 26 March 2021 from our DHT, Caroline Falconer.

A copy of our  Assessment Timetable is available - 

Published: Mon 15 Mar 2021

Accessing the booking form via your Glow account.

You have to be logged into your Glow account before it will let you submit the booking form for Easter Study Support Form. 

Please note that we recommend using the Chrome browser for your glow account (this optimises the experience).

To be sure of accessing your Glow account, we suggest you do the following:

  1. Close your existing browser session completely
  2. Open a fresh browser session
  3. Go to the Glow homepage https://glow.rmunify.com/
  4. Enter your Glow credentials to login (please contact your school if unsure of your Glow username or require a password reset)
  5. Once you are logged in, open a new browser tab and navigate to the e-Sgoil Study Support page http://www.e-sgoil.com/easterstudysupportsessions2021/
  6. Access the booking form link from this page
  7. This will work in all instances except potentially when you have already used the same browser to access another O365 account. In this case, a separate browser, InPrivate(incognito) session, or clearing cookies will be a required first step before the above

Donald A Macleod

 

Published: Mon 15 Mar 2021

The School testing programme is aimed at school staff and secondary pupils only. The tests will be handed to those participants who wish to participate and should only be used by them and must not be shared with anyone else. Full details are available in the letter issued by East Lothian Council on 15 March 2021.

Published: Fri 12 Mar 2021

As we prepare for the phased return of all pupil to school I would like to draw your attention to the latest guidelines on face coverings. The most recent advice given is that face coverings should be worn by all learners from S1 – S6 and staff while in classrooms, communal areas and while moving around the school. Full details are available in the letter issued on Friday 12 March 2021 from Mr Illingworth, DHT.

Published: Thu 11 Mar 2021

Return to school for pupils in the BGE (S1, S2 and S3)

Week commencing Monday, 15th March

Pupils in the BGE (S1 to S3) will return to school for a period of time each week before the Easter break to allow them to reconnect with their in-school, face to face learning.  There will be a focus on wellbeing throughout this period.  A blended learning approach will be taken from Monday, 15th March to the end of term to deliver other aspects of their curriculum.  Full details are available in the letter issued 11 March 2021 from our Head Teacher.

Published: Thu 11 Mar 2021

An overview of  the Temporary timetable and detailed arrangements for Senior pupils on from Monday 15 March 2021. Full details are available in the letter issued from our Head Teacher on 11 March 2021.

 

Published: Thu 11 Mar 2021

I am writing to follow up on the letter I sent out yesterday and to let you know about the Schools Asymptomatic Testing Programme, which has been put in place as part of the package of COVID19 risk reduction mitigations in schools across Scotland, and to give you more information about how the programme will operate in East Lothian Schools. Full details are available in the letter issued on Thursday 11 March 2021 from our Head Teacher.

Published: Wed 10 Mar 2021

Phased return of S1-S6 pupils at Knox Academy – 15 March – 1 April 2021 I hope this letter finds you safe and well. After two and a half months off it feels very positive to be writing to you to give you detailed information about welcoming all of our young people back to Knox Academy for a phased return from 15 March. We have been asked, by the Scottish Government, to prioritise face to face teaching for S4-S6 pupils and to ensure that all pupils experience some in school learning during these three weeks too. During the phased return we would ask, that as best as possible, pupils wear school uniform and bring a cosy jacket/fleece to wear over this to keep them warm, if required. Full details are available in the letter issued on Wednesday 10 March from our Head Teacher.

Published: Wed 10 Mar 2021

I hope you are all safe and well. It has been an extremely challenging and anxious time over the last year for parents/carers and pupils alike. The First Minister’s announcement last week, of a phased return for all pupils from S1-S6, is to take place from 15 March – 1 April. The Scottish Government has asked that S4-S6 pupils’ learning has to be prioritised during these three weeks to support the learning and teaching associated with their SQA qualifications. It is expected that all pupils, from S1-S6 will return to school full-time after the Easter holidays. Full details are available in the letter issued from our Head Teacher on Wednesday 10 March 2021.

Published: Fri 19 Feb 2021

An online questionnaire to gather the views of local communities on the council’s existing learning estate will go live on Monday (22 February 2021).

Phase 1 of the Learning Estate Review pre-consultation has been designed to offer schools and communities the opportunity to share their opinions on the condition of the existing learning estate. The pre-consultation will also gather views on how well the school estate supports learning.

The questionnaire will run from 22 February – 15 March 2021 on the council’s Consultation Hub, to provide an easy and accessible way for people to participate.

Phase 2 of the process will involve a series of online community engagement workshops, which will run from 10 – 28 May.

The survey is available to view here and will be live for responses from Monday 22 February 2021.

Published: Fri 19 Feb 2021

Dear Parent/Carer

I am writing to let you know about the new Schools/ ELC Asymptomatic Testing Programme, which is being put in place as part of the package of COVID-19 risk reduction mitigations in schools across Scotland, and to give you more information about how the programme will operate in our school. Full details are available in the letter issued from our Head Teacher on 19 February 2021.

Published: Thu 18 Feb 2021

I hope you are all safe and well and your young person is engaging well in the first week of remote learning following the February break. As I said in my letter to you on Tuesday, I am now writing out to you all with our planned return for our senior phase pupils who are following practical subjects at Knox Academy. Full details are available in the letter issued from our Head Teacher on 18 February 2021.

Published: Mon 15 Feb 2021

You may have seen recent news reports highlighting the risk of online grooming and radicalisation of young people during the current pandemic lockdown.

More and more pupils are now being home-schooled and spending more time online than normal. Without realising, your child could potentially be the target for online radicalisers and extremists. This is not just relevant to lockdown, but the risk is more prevalent during this time. Full details are available in the letter issued 15 February 2021 from East Lothian Council Prevention Team and Police Scotland.

Published: Mon 1 Feb 2021

Both in the remote learning survey feedback and at Parent Council on Thursday 28 January 2021, parents/carers asked for a little more information on Google Classroom  so they could help their young person navigate it and also so they know how much work they are getting/what they are submitting.  I hope you find that this document provides some helpful advice for you.

 

Published: Mon 1 Feb 2021

There is a Digital Drop-in every week day from 3.30pm - 5.30pm. More details are available at Midlothian Young People's Advice Service.

Published: Thu 28 Jan 2021

The National Qualifications 2021 Group have provided an update on National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses for learners.

With remote learning continuing until at least mid-February, the National Qualifications 2021 Group appreciates that you may be anxious to know how this will impact on you and your school or college. Full details are available in the letter issued 28 January 2021.

Published: Thu 28 Jan 2021

The National Qualifications 2021 Group have provided an update on National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses for parents and carers. 

With remote learning continuing until at least mid-February, the National Qualifications 2021 Group appreciates that you may be anxious to know how this will impact on your child and their school or college. Full details are available in the letter issued 28 January 2021.

Published: Mon 25 Jan 2021

Support for Learning Staff have put together a Guide to Remote Learning. Dr Lyon and Mrs Wright are available to support you in your learning at home in addition to your subject teachers.

Published: Mon 25 Jan 2021

I know that you will be disappointed not to be in school with your friends and teachers and that learning at home may be challenging for you. I hope that the help and support you are receiving from your teachers is helping you to keep connected with your learning and with your school. Yesterday, the First Minister announced that schools would remain closed until the middle of February and I know that many of you will be feeling anxious about that and what it means for your learning. Full details available in letter issued 25 January 2021 from Lesley Brown, Director of Education.

Published: Mon 25 Jan 2021

Now that the new term is well underway, I wanted to write to you with a further update. This is not the way we were hoping to begin this year, but our schools have been preparing for the possibility of further remote learning since last year and you can be reassured that we are doing all that we can to support our children and young people. I am very proud of everything that our schools are achieving despite the restrictions that are in place. Full details available in letter issued 25 January 2021 from Lesley Brown, Director of Education. 

Published: Fri 22 Jan 2021

It is important to set some time aside for yourself without interruptions, and also to have a good night's sleep.

We spend all day feeding our brain information, so when it comes time to turn it off, you should do the same thing to your phone too.

Consider setting your phone on Do Not Disturb particularly later in the evening and overnight to avoid email and Google Classroom notifications.

 

Published: Tue 12 Jan 2021

During this period of remote learning the principle we are working to is about delivering high quality remote learning opportunities for all young people which:

 Provides timely feedback which is transparent, actionable, ongoing and consistent.  Includes opportunities for connectivity to help pupils and teachers stay connected, support pupil well-being.  Offers real-time support to pupils who need help accessing their learning.  Contributes to an overall range of remote learning experiences, including collaborative learning experiences, which foster engagement and meet the needs of diverse groups of learners. Full details available in letter issued 12 January 2021 from our Head Teacher.

Published: Fri 8 Jan 2021

First and foremost, Happy New Year to you and your families. I hope you managed to have some fun and relaxation during the festive break. I am sure you would agree with me in saying this is not the start we had wished for the New Year! However I know that we will work together, to provide the best support we can, to ensure our young people’s progress during the forthcoming period of remote learning. Full details available in letter dated 8 January 2021 from our Head Teacher.

Please see below timetables for S1 and S2 pupils only. S3 - S6 pupils should follow their usual timetables during this period of remote learning.  Miss Cook will also be sending an email to all our pupils directly making them aware of the arrangements for Monday, so please ask them to check their EduBuzz accounts in advance. 

Published: Wed 6 Jan 2021

Dear Parent/Carer,

As a result of the First Minister's announcement on Monday 4 January 2021, schools will be closed to most children other than children of key workers and the most vulnerable until 29th January 2021.  This is a change from the initial statement from the First Minister on 19 December 2020 which required a phased return to school. 

Due to the extended period of school closure, East Lothian Council has reopened the application process for key worker children to access places for in-school learning and childcare from Monday 18th to Friday 29th January 2021.  This online application process is for new applicants who did not apply in the first round in December 2020.  Those who have confirmed places already will roll over in to extended period and do not need to reapply.

Priority will be given to those key workers in category 1 and category 2 where both parent/carers are key workers or where there is a single parent who is a key worker.  Information about the category definitions can be found here: 

Wherever possible, parents/carers should make use of informal childcare arrangements in line with the Scottish Government Guidance.

Any parents/carers who believe they are key workers under criteria set out by the Scottish Government will be invited to complete our online application.  

Kind regards
The Education Support Team

Published: Tue 22 Dec 2020

Schools in East Lothian had been due to re-open to all pupils on Wednesday, 6 January 2021.
However, as you may be aware, the Scottish Government has announced new plans for the return of children and young people in the New Year.
This is to support a phased return to the start of the new term. It comes as protections against Coronavirus (COVID-19) are tightened across Scotland to prevent the spread of the new, highly contagious strain of the virus.

Full details of arrangements can be read in the letter from Lesley Brown (Executive Direction Education and Children's Services) - 22 December 2020

Published: Tue 31 Mar 2020

If you haven't already heard... you can access Google Classroom on an Xbox or PS4 Games Console.

Access Google Classroom with Xbox

  1. Go to the Home Menu.
  2. Select My games and apps.
  3. Scroll down to Apps.
  4. Go to Microsoft Edge application.
  5. Type in a search for Google Classroom.
  6. Select Go to Classroom, then log in using Edubuzz email and password.

Access Google Classroom with the PS4 system

  1. Use your controller to scroll to the far right of the bar with games to Library.
  2. Select Library application.
  3. Within thin library use the search bar to type in Internet.
  4. Select the Internet Browser app.
  5. Start Internet Browser and press the triangle button on the controller to search.
  6. Once on the internet, type in the search box Google Classroom and select the appropriate link
  7. "Classroom: manage teaching and learning Google for Education-link below"
  8. Select Go to Classroom, then log in using Edubuzz email and password.

There are various YouTube videos demonstrating the process.

 

 

Published: Tue 31 Mar 2020

Do you have an 'ancient' laptop, or one that is very slow an unusable, does it sit in the cupboard gathering dust?

Turn this into aa fast Chromebook ideal for use at this time when devices are at a premium in households.

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Please note that this procedure cannot be supported by East Lothian Council in any way.

DOING SO WILL DELETE ALL DATA ON THE DEVICE

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What do you have to lose?  Just backup any data first!

"Whether you're working from home or learning from home, CloudReady is the OS for you."

Visit the Neverware website for more information - but remember this CANNOT BE SUPPORTED BY ELC. If not absolutely ancient, it's likely that an older laptop can be converted to become a Chromebook.

Let us know if you have success with this.

Published: Tue 31 Mar 2020

Due to the emergency closure, senior pupils will be pleased to hear that all courses on SCHOLAR can now be accessed. This means you can start looking forward and access some tutorials or materials for your new courses.

This means that you have now have access to 37 complete SQA NQ courses, with support materials available for a further four qualifications.

The new “Display other courses” toggle at the bottom of the welcome screen provides "guest access" to all of the courses.