Faced with unprecedented challenges at the start of the first lockdown, Hilden Oaks’ staff and pupils made a swift and successful transition from physical to virtual learning. Most conventional teaching methods had to be shelved and everyone was forced to start ‘thinking outside the box’. From day one, children had a full timetable of lessons delivered through the school’s on-line learning systems. Lessons were a blend of live on-line teaching and guided self-learning. Throughout, we continued to offer all pupils a nurturing, family-oriented school experience hand-in-hand with teaching that maintained its ‘Excellent’ standards (ISI report Dec 2017). Across the school, pupils showed high levels of progress and attainment.
“During this time, everyone has discovered new talents and new ways of working, which we hope will be of continued value as we adapt to the new normal”
In September 2020, adaptations were made to allow all the children to make a safe return to school. This, of course, was made easier by Hilden Oaks’ commitment to small class sizes. There is no doubt that technology has had a massive part to play throughout the pandemic, and the School has invested heavily in this area, making iPads available for each child, and upgraded laptops for every member of staff. The staff also received regular Microsoft training in order to keep abreast with the latest software. This investment enabled us to adapt to a ‘blended’ learning approach—a mix between face-to-face and online learning. Although children were taught in their respective ‘bubbles’, they came together for virtual assemblies and other whole school events, using Microsoft Teams. It also meant that should children need to self-isolate at home, they were still able to attend lessons, virtually, with their peers.
Children learnt to take more responsibility for their learning during the first lockdown and we saw a greater level of independence when they returned to the classroom. IT started to play a more prominent role in every lesson and pupils’ IT skills became highly developed. Pupils and staff have shown that they are exceptionally creative and hugely resilient. They know they can achieve anything if they put their minds to it.
Family is at the heart of Hilden Oaks and therefore it is no surprise that the school community has pulled together to support one another during this extraordinary time. Keeping everyone safe has been a priority and communicating regularly with our families has enabled us to identify and support areas of particular need. Our small classes and excellent pastoral provision ensure that every child has a trusted adult they can talk to.
With contingency plans in place to allow for any future disruption, we were very well prepared for a smooth transition back to online learning when Lockdown 3 was announced in January.
We are really proud of our School and particularly proud of everything we achieved during this time. Pupils and teachers adapted, created and continued to deliver an outstanding curriculum and pupils continued to make excellent academic progress. It is these achievements, along with our Values-based focus and family ethos that keeps us motivated and looking forward to the future. We are well-placed to maintain our reputation for excellence and to prepare our pupils for a successful transition to their secondary school of choice.
This is what our parents have had to say about our response:
“I was so impressed with the way Hilden Oaks galvanized into action and implemented its on-line learning and resources so quickly. Bar the social interaction, I really think the school delivered as close to ‘normal’ as circumstances allowed, and went ‘above and beyond’ to ensure pupils still had the pastoral support they would in school.”
“Please share with the wonderful staff of Hilden Oaks our gratitude and admiration for the incredible work they have done during lockdown. Whilst the lockdown has created a fair amount of chaos in the world, Hilden Oaks have done a sterling job of providing just what our children have needed. The work provided to Reception and Year 2 has been comprehensive and the pastoral sessions have been upbeat and supportive.”
“The quality of teaching has been superb throughout the period of home learning...
At no stage did we feel there was a sense of panic—instead the calm way that the school has dealt with this incredibly difficult situation is a credit to Hilden Oaks”
