Giggleswick Virtual School

Welcome to our

Virtual School

Learning beyond the classroom learning. Our aim is to ensure that we continue to develop the Giggleswick learner wherever you may be through a range of programmes that involve learning and welfare support inside and outside the classroom. At times of great uncertainty feeling a part of the wider Giggleswick community can be a great support to us all.

Yours sincerely, Greetings from the ever beautiful Yorkshire Dales and welcome to the Giggleswick Virtual School. Being unable to access our fantastic campus

Mark Turnbull, Headmaster

and facilities should not be a barrier to enjoying the Giggleswick learning experience. Our approach to learning combines high quality online lessons with full tutorial support, academic enrichment programmes and a wide ranging co-curriculum. Learning from home does not have to mean learning in isolation and Giggleswick’s teachers and pastoral staff will be on hand throughout to guide you through your

Curious Skilled Aware Passionate Creative Pro-active Resilient Assured

The Giggleswick Learner

Fully supported virtual learning

Screen Time One of the key questions when

need initial prompts, followed

launching a Virtual School is

by independent learning and

the amount of screen time we

feedback from the teacher.

are expecting the students to experience, and whether this is healthy. Being mindful of this, we have given careful consideration to the range of activities on offer and the methods of delivery within each subject. We are working with the teachers to ensure that there is a sufficient variety of tasks; Through our Virtual School we are able

the academic curriculum, co-curricular

to continue to deliver the full and broad

activities and pastoral support.

some of which require screen access and some of which

We have also tried to ensure that there is a balance between the cerebral, active, social and wellbeing elements, so that in each day the students are stretched and supported appropriately. As you can see from the timetable, the aim is to also give each student sufficient time at the end of the school day to pursue other interests, or to relax in their own way.

education that Giggleswick is renowned for. With the Giggleswick Learner at

Giggleswick School is proud to be a Microsoft Showcase School, one of just

the heart of everything we do, our

18 schools in the UK and 241 worldwide to achieve this prestigious listing,

virtual programme will bring together

thanks to our use of technology in transforming the way we teach and

all aspects of our provision, including

change the culture of learning.

Virtual learning timetable: Senior School A structure to your day

08:20 - 08:40

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Tutor Time Mindfulness Monday

Tutor Time Targets Tuesday

Tutor Time Well-being Wednesday

Tutor Time Thankful Thursday

Tutor Time Feelgood Friday

For Senior School pupils, we have created a virtual timetable tailored to meet the individual learning needs of different year groups.

08:40 - 09:35

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Maintaining a structure and routine for children while they are out of

09:40 - 10:35

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

school is essential and our daily timetable continues to provide that

10:35 - 11:05

important balance of academic

BREAK

study, independent learning and co-curricular activities to keep

11:05 - 12:00

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

students engaged and active throughout each day.

12:10 - 12:50

12:55 - 13:50

LUNCH/Hangout

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Don’t forget to Hangout!

Hangouts are an important

13:55 - 14:50

C4L

Activities

Activities Group Sessions

Activities

Activities

opportunity to meet up and chat with classmates and

14:55 - 15:50

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

Lesson

15:50 - 16:00

Tutor Time

Tutor Time

Tutor Time

Tutor Time

Tutor Time

friends online during the day.

It’s a great way to discuss work, share ideas, get help and give support to others.

Curriculum: Supporting academic ambition Our teachers are delivering live lessons in class

challenges, MUN (Model United Nations) and

groups through our Virtual School with recorded

debating. There will also be enrichment days such

lessons to help our students in different time zones as the Crisis Management Exercise. These activities around the world.

provide invaluable skills evidence to support UCAS applications and personal statements.

Lessons are interactive and continue to place emphasis on embedding core knowledge, undertaking deliberate practice and encouraging review and reflection. Timetables and lesson plans are tailored for specific year groups, following the exam curriculum for GCSE, A level and BTEC students.

A host of academic enrichment activities are available for students across the year groups including Philosophy Club, Book Club, writing

The virtual lessons have been outstanding! My two children are fully engaged and learning as normal, the lessons sound great! PE, Spanish, English and Art so far today, shame it’s Easter holidays next week!

Academic curriculum Years 7, 8 & 9

Year 13

as well as assess so that we have

EPQ Sessions

more up to date evidence of current

We will also be running a series of

Years 7, 8 & 9 have 25 academic

attainment. It is vital that all students

introductory EPQ sessions to whet your

For Year 13 students we will still be

lessons scheduled each week (Monday

continue to work independently away

appetite and get ahead of the game in this

delivering the A level specification

to Friday, five lessons each day)

from lesson time to keep the subject

valuable qualification

for many subjects to ensure full

covering the academic breadth and

matter and examination skills fresh

The EPQ (Extended Project Qualification)

depth of the normal school timetable.

in their minds. The government has

is an independent project which allows a

continue to revise and review A

There are also two preps per day

indicated pupils may wish to take

student to research an area of personal or

level knowledge as well as assess

set to provide consolidation and

optional examinations to boost their

academic interest and is highly valued by

so that we have proof of evidence

extension activities. There is no school

grades and all pupils should take this

universities.

of learning, current attainment and

on Saturday with these lessons being

opportunity seriously. To support our

covered during the week.

students, we will continue with our

Year 10 We are providing extensive coverage

programmes of study until half term of the summer term.

Year 12 We will ensure continued learning for Lower Sixth students as we build

Pre-A level and BTEC bridging

up key knowledge and skills for the

After half term, we will be running Pre-A level

A level exams in Year 13. We are

and BTEC bridging courses. Pupils will have

delivering all the usual spread of

preparation work for the final year

the opportunity to opt for the three courses

academic lessons, as well as running a

of GCSE. There are also two to three

they have chosen for Sixth Form study plus

bespoke programme of UCAS sessions

preps per day set to provide practice,

two extra courses in subjects that they may

to start preparing for university entry.

consolidation and extension activities.

also wish to consider. This is a valuable

We are also continuing to provide EPQ

opportunity to see if the subjects you have

support in order that the vast majority

chosen are the right ones for you and to get

of work is completed before the end

ahead with your learning.

of the summer term to maximise

of all core subjects and option blocks for Year 10 students to continue

Year 11 For Year 11 students we will continue to revise and review GCSE knowledge

grade opportunities.

coverage of the course. We will

progress since the trial examinations.

It is vital that all students continue to work independently away from lesson time to keep the subject matter and examination skills fresh in their minds. The government has indicated pupils may wish to take optional examinations to boost their grades and all pupils should take this opportunity seriously. To support our students, we will continue with our programmes of study until half term of the summer term. We will also provide our usual gold standard UCAS advice.

Co-curriculum: The power of participation Our co-curricular programme will operate as a one hour offering each day to all pupils as way to keep active and engaged in a range of activities bespoke to Giggleswick. Students will have a wide range of activity options to choose from including programmes for keeping fit, getting creative, managing health and well-being and thoughtful reflection. We’ll even be bringing Outdoor Pursuits indoors and keeping team spirit alive with our popular House challenges.

ACTIVE

CREATIVE

WELL-BEING

OUTDOOR PURSUITS

TEAM CHALLENGES

Opportunities for all pupils

A chance to develop

Finding ways to relax and

to take part in an exercise

creative talents and skills

unwind away from the

Bring the great outdoors

Keeping team and House

of their choice at any level

and learn something new

screen

indoors with our Virtual

spirit alive with fun team

■ Perform A Monologue

■ Yoga

Outdoor Pursuits

challenges

■ Cookery Demonstrations

■ Mindfulness ■ Meditation

■ Virtual D Of E

■ General Knowledge Quiz

■ Body Weight Conditioning

■ Art Challenges

■ Reflective Thought

■ Maps & Orienteering

■ Virtual Sports Day

■ Music Lessons

■ Mountain Skills

■ Debating

■ Hockey & Netball Skills

■ Christian Union

■ Virtual Choir

■ Virtual Chapel

■ Hill Skills

■ Model United Nations (MUN)

at home.

■ Reps & Steps ■ Flexibility

■ Virtual Sports Day

Programme

■ Adventure Presentations

Well-being and pastoral support Within the virtual timetable we have

any concerns or worries that that may

education, positive mental health,

multi-layered house and family feel our

introduced two tutorial sessions; one

have on a day-to day basis.

economic well-being and citizenship.

pupils and their families value so much.

As well as the small group tutorials,

Our pastoral care will still have the

we will also have drop-ins and guest

same systems and structures with

speakers on a range of topics, such as

teachers, personal tutors and senior

‘dealing with isolation’, and ‘strategies

house staff all on hand to support

to reduce screen time’.

alongside parents and guardians at

at the beginning of the day and one at the end, with an emphasis on the learning outcomes from the taught lessons, as well promoting positive mental health. At such a difficult time, the need for regular mindfulness and relaxation strategies will be paramount, and these sessions will provide an invaluable opportunity for the students to develop resilience and talk through

home. Each student will have regular We will also continue to run our Curriculum for Life programme; focusing on matters such as health and well-being, relationships and sex

Our Tutors and House team are here to help

access to their personal tutor and your child’s Housemaster/mistress will also have complete oversight of their welfare, providing continuity in the

It is lovely to hear my children laughing and chatting to their friends even though they are miles apart. Great provision Giggleswick, well done.

Junior School Our Junior School pupils will also enjoy a structured timetable of lessons and activities delivered through Microsoft Teams, our Virtual School platform. Parents have the chance to use the resources with flexibility or to provide a clear structure across the week, which will be led, delivered and monitored by our own staff straight to each child’s home.

Timetable of core subjects

Enrichment activities

Each year group has its own timetable with four

Further enrichment content will be provided from

sessions each day, which will include video tutorials

staff in areas such as cooking, ballet and sport, as

produced by our staff covering core subject

well Headteacher vlogs and a variety of mindfulness

areas in the morning and all our usual foundation

and wellbeing resources, to help support your child.

subject across the week with our specialist teachers. These will be supplemented by a range of learning tasks tailored to meet the needs of each child, continuing their learning from the previous term and delivering the curriculum content that will prepare them for the next academic year.

A special thanks to the Junior School teachers who got the learning materials ready so quickly.

We are slowly working our way through!

Virtual learning timetable: Junior School MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Numeracy & Literacy

Numeracy & Literacy

Numeracy & Literacy

Numeracy & Literacy

Numeracy & Literacy

Home Learning Numeracy & Literacy

Home Learning Numeracy & Literacy

PSHCE

Humanities

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MORNING Home Learning Numeracy & Literacy

Home Learning Numeracy & Literacy

Home Learning Numeracy & Literacy LUNCH

Science

Music

French/German

BREAK

AFTERNOON

Art/Design

PE

Independent/ Independent/ Directed Learning Directed Learning

Computing

Keeping in touch Using the online chat functions, our

video tasks will also allow continued

Our form teachers will also make

important opportunity for the children

staff will be able to help the children

interaction and support between the

regular check-in calls to provide

to share the work they have been given

with feedback and signpost additional

children themselves and encourage a

a familiar face through the week

too. Our teachers will also be on hand

resources and content to enable

continued sense of community.

and offer support, reassurance and

to continue to deliver essential pastoral

guidance in their studies. It is an

support.

academic stretch. Class and group