Abingdonian 2020

66 The Abingdonian Abingdon in Lockdown Teaching and Learning Under Lockdown We spent some anxious moments leading up to the final lockdown, speculating whether we would actually need the Zoom training we were being given. Surely teaching is all about being in the classroom? When the government made the decision to send everyone home and start the process of remote learning, staff could be seen hurriedly putting monitors and boxes of resources “just in case” into cars. Visualisers were distributed and the sense of going it alone began. The site was eerily quiet as everyone left, not knowing how long before we would be back again. In the initial days, there were concerns about whether boys would behave on Zoom, whether they would turn up to lessons, whether staff would manage the technology. The boys were amazing. Perhaps they were desperate for some sense of rhythm to life at home. They got up in time for a slightly later registration and with some encouragement turned on their videos to allow us to see that they were out of PJs and ready for the day of learning. They got to Zoom rooms on time and shared their work via google docs, Firefly or google classroom. Staff were amazing. Some had to juggle commitments to teach their own children at home alongside cramped conditions and hot weather. They planned and created incredible learning opportunities. They went above and beyond to ensure that our boys did not miss out. There was much to learn. Cold calling took on a delayed reaction as “you’re on mute” became the typical anthem in lessons. The “chat” was used to give answers and “breakout rooms” were risked with varying success. A juggling act was in motion and it soon became apparent that “good enough needed to be good enough” as lessons were pared back to the essentials and off- piste conversations had to be curtailed in favour of getting through content alongside managing wi-fi difficulties. A teaching and learning bulletin was established and thank you messages were shared as we tried to support one another. Top tips and celebrations of pupils’ work were highlighted and survey results were given - 93% of parents praising teachers for the great work with their sons. However, the reality was tough. Our teacher training had not prepared us to be in front of a screen all day. Necks ached, stand-up desks had sold out, dining room chairs were uncomfortable and despite being encouraged to get up and have a break it wasn’t always easy to do. We missed the spontaneous opportunities to chat about a lesson or an aspect of teaching over a coffee and to connect with the boys whilst on the sports field or in a more relaxed environment. That said, there were elements that we are still celebrating as we tentatively return to school. Technology has provided us with ways of doing things more efficiently and of course Zoom still looms as we are joined by remote learners. Perhaps we are all more happy to be videoed, having seen ourselves on screen for so many months too! Ronnie Reading Pastoral Life in Lockdown There was a time when none of us had heard of Zoom, when flying abroad was something taken for granted, and when no one had spent an evening doing a virtual Pub-less Quiz. When lockdown came, a key issue for the school was how to stay connected with the pupils, and ensure that they felt supported while history unfolded around them. It was for this reason that going online for lessons was accompanied by a robust programme of pastoral care. Every day tutors registered their tutees via a Zoom video link, enabling staff to actually see their tutees, to ensure students were coping, and to encourage the boys to feel connected with each other, with staff, and with the school. Tutors also had weekly one to one catch up chats with their tutees, so that they could talk in more detail to each individual about how they were getting on. For the boys and staff engaged with seeing the counsellors, this service has carried on unabated via Zoom, and has been critical in helping some people in managing the whole experience. Assemblies and Chapel have carried on, albeit by a variety of different links and videos, and there have been all sorts of initiatives to bring boys in the houses together – whether that has been virtual pizza nights, online horseracing, or even running around the world. As well as these systems, everyone has been encouraged to look after themselves and keep their Other Half going. Led by the Head of Wellbeing, there have been lots of communications with the boys about how to look after their mental health. Tutors have been asking boys to get outside, to help others, and to try something new. Building independence and resilience have been the watchwords of lockdown. Remote education has been no replacement for the experience of being surrounded by the buzz of school life,