Continuing access to learning despite self-isolation requirement

The education of one of our day students has continued despite a positive Covid-19 test, thanks to joint working between her class team and her family.

Young person Kayleigh tested positive for Covid-19 and so was unable to attend school for the first week after the October half-term break.

However, to ensure continued learning, Kayleigh’s teacher Hannah Hyatt and Education Autism Practitioner Faye Gray delivered sessions over Microsoft Teams twice a day for a week.

Kayleigh’s mum Claire supported sessions from home, while Hannah and Faye’s approach also meant Kayleigh’s younger brother Connor could get involved.

The home learning sessions featured a range of topics – literacy, numeracy, science, computing, PSHE, music and food technology - which allowed Kayleigh to access the same learning as her peers in her class.

Hannah said: “Kayleigh joined Willow class as a day student in September this year and has settled in well with us. That’s why it was so important for the class team to remain in touch and continue Kayleigh’s learning, so she had an element of consistency.

“The sessions really benefitted Kayleigh – she was able to access her learning in a really positive way – as well as allowing us to provide some support for Claire at a difficult time for Kayleigh in having to self-isolate.

“And, of course, it is wonderful for myself and Faye to also be able to remain in touch with Kayleigh.”

The parent's view

Kayleigh’s mum Claire said: 'Kayleigh has really settled into her new school life well. She loves all the teaching staff, staff around the school, and has made lovely friendships in her new class.

“Kayleigh really depends on consistency, and structured support throughout her day so having to stay at home due to catching Covid-19 was going to be challenging.

“Knowing that school life is so important to Kayleigh, I got in contact with Hannah to see if we could do online learning. I was blown away as we were given a timetable of activities, and personalised sessions provided by Hannah and Faye.

Kayleigh was able to join in with the same activities as her peers. She really enjoyed all her sessions, and her face lit up when she saw the staff online. I feel this provided the vital structure to her day.

“Most of all it reduced Kayleigh’s anxiety, and she got to share the experience with her brother Connor, and myself. It was fantastic support, so a huge thank you to Hannah and Faye."

Kayleigh's family have now recovered from the effects of Covid-19, and Kayleigh is back attending our School.

Read about how we approach relationships with the families of our young people.