Valley Leadership Academy to Introduce Remote Teaching Arrangement for Some Students

Strategic Insights -

The Valley Leadership Academy in Bacup is planning to introduce a remote teaching arrangement for some of its top set students in years 9-11, where a virtual teacher will deliver maths lessons from a location outside of the classroom. The school has confirmed that a qualified teacher will be present in the classroom to support the students and facilitate learning and pastoral care. However, the National Education Union (NEU) has expressed concerns over the arrangement, citing a lack of reassurance and potential impact on the quality of learning and support for students, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Valley Leadership Academy will introduce a remote teaching arrangement for some of its top set students in years 9-11 from September.
  • A virtual teacher will deliver maths lessons from a location outside of the classroom, supported by a qualified teacher in the classroom.
  • The NEU has expressed concerns over the arrangement, citing a lack of reassurance and potential impact on the quality of learning and support for students.
  • The virtual teacher will be supported in the classroom by another qualified teacher experienced in maths.
  • The arrangement will not make sense economically if the school makes good on its pledge to have a qualified teacher present physically, according to the NEU.
  • The NEU has stated that they will oppose the move regardless of the status of the person physically present in the room.
  • An indicative ballot of NEU members showed unanimous support for strike action over the matter.
  • The school has confirmed that the virtual teacher will be based remotely, as stated, but the NEU has reported that the teacher will be moving to Devon for the role.

Statistics:

  • 600: The number of pupils at The Valley Leadership Academy.
  • 3: The number of classes that will receive maths lessons from the virtual teacher.
  • 1: The number of virtual teachers that the school will have, as stated.
  • 97%: The attendance rate of The Valley Leadership Academy, according to the school's website (2019-2020).

Sources:

  • The Lancashire and Rossendale Star (online), "Teachers' concerns over new remote maths lessons" (no date).
  • The Valley Leadership Academy (letter to parents), "Virtual Maths Teacher" (no date).
  • National Education Union (press release), "NEU reaction to Valley Leadership Academy's decision to introduce permanent virtual lessons" (no date).
  • Online report by The Lancashire and Rossendale Star, "Virtual teacher to start at Valley Leadership Academy in September" (online, no date).