Commenting on the newly-published guidance*, Dr Mary Bousted,
Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“In these unprecedented times schools and colleges are doing
their utmost to ensure that contact between parents and children
is kept up. What needs to be made clear, however, is that this
collective effort cannot be business as usual.
“Teachers cannot be working as though they are sat in front of a
class, and children cannot be expected to be able to study full
time with online resources. Similarly, parents – many of whom
will also be working from home – cannot be expected to be
supervising heavy school workloads for their children.
“Teachers working at home must be given workloads which are
reasonable and sustainable, and this must be negotiated with the
staff. Normal education is currently suspended, and teachers
should not be teaching a full timetable, or routinely marking
work.
“The NEU guidance on distance learning out today makes very clear
what should be acceptable levels of workload. Many schools and
colleges have already adopted a sensible approach to school-work
and engagement with students. Some have not, so it is essential
that all heads and leadership teams ensure neither school staff,
parents or students are overwhelmed and confused by unrealistic
expectations and workload.
“Accessing a normal timetable or individual support simply will
not be possible during this period of intense lock down and
crisis. We cannot educate the nation’s children and young people
remotely.”
Editor’s Note
* The new guidance was published today, and is available here:
https://neu.org.uk/what-you-need-know-distance-teaching
