Page 25 - ELG2011 Nov Issue 473

YOUNG LEARNERS SPECIAL . SPECIAL FEATURE

Safeguarding in the coronavirus era It’s great

Charlotte Aynsley, advisor at safeguarding software firm, Impero, outdoors CONCORD COLLEGE
outlines what all schools need to know

cross the world, state schools, a split system can make it difficult to identify What to do when things go wrong
international schools and private patterns of behaviour and risks. Using a Things can go wrong in the virtual classroom Melanie Butler asks
language schools are all having to system that links offline and online and schools should prepare for it. If a teacher
Astrike a balance between online behaviours means that early signs of risks can is immediately worried about a student, such how EFL can take
and in-person teaching, since it remains be spotted, allowing schools to act promptly. as in a case of neglect, they must reach out to learning outdoors
unclear what the weeks and months ahead For the many schools that still rely on a the school’s safeguarding lead (or equivalent)
have in store. For example, for state schools in paper-based system or other offline system, as soon as possible.
the UK, the Department for Education (DfE) this is the moment for change. Fortunately, Teachers should never attempt to ovember 5 is National Outdoor
recently released a temporary continuity modern, cloud-based solutions exist which intervene directly through one-to-one Classroom day in the UK, and it
direction mandating that all schools make neatly address the problem. These sessions without prior approval of senior occurred to me that Outdoor High ropes at Concord College summer school
provision for “immediate access to remote safeguarding systems, some of which are free, leadership, and they should refer to NEducation is a natural fit for the
education,” in case a student is absent or a are accessible from any internet-connected safeguarding policies and procedures or their Clil approach. Whether students are run by animateurs: professional activity climbing around obstacles up to 50 feet in the
school has to close due to Covid-19. device, ensuring that staff can record and safeguarding lead for guidance if they are abseiling down a mountain or working in an leaders for culture, community and leisure air.
However, providing remote education is review concerns anywhere, at any time. unsure how to proceed. international team to orienteer their way activities but not – as yet – for language The college’s belief in challenging
only part of the puzzle, and to ensure that any Modern safeguarding software also enables If something inappropriate is brought up across the moors, there is a clear and pressing learning. students, “physically and mentally in an
type of school can continue operating in these schools to upload existing offline records, online during a remote or hybrid lesson, need to listen and to communicate in the In the UK, outdoor education has become environment outside the formal academic
uncertain times, safeguarding approaches ensuring continuity and avoiding a dangerous teachers may need to use their discretion to lingua franca. firmly entrenched in the independent school curriculum,” is reflected in its English
must also adapt and be fit for purpose. online-offline schism in the school’s immediately end the session for all students. The modern outdoor education movement sector where Hahn himself worked. language summer schools, where leisure
A successful approach to effective safeguarding infrastructure. Depending on the nature of the can be traced back to Kurt Hahn, the Take Concord College, an academic school activities include caving, white water rafting
safeguarding requires a holistic approach inappropriate material, teachers must work influential German educator who believed with some of the best exam results in the and ‘high ropes’.
based on four related considerations: policies with their safeguarding lead to determine that children should experience triumph and country, and named by the Sutton Trust as There is a clear trend towards ‘outdoor
and practices; infrastructure and technology; Teachers must limit whether to report it to organisations such as defeat and be given opportunities for both one of the top 200 feeder schools to Oxford language education,’ as evidenced by EFL
education and training; and regular the Internet Watch Foundation. self-discovery and “self-effacement in the University. As well as yearly trips to outdoor summer courses run by activity centre
monitoring of the approach. This multi- interactions with Schools should maintain a regular common cause.” centres, the college owns and runs its own specialists like PGL, and the language
faceted approach is key to safeguarding students to approved recording and monitoring system for online Different countries have adopted different ‘ropes course’ for new students. These awareness courses for activity leaders
students in the age of coronavirus. classes to ensure student safety. Records will approaches: the forest nursery schools of courses have two elements: ‘low ropes’ where pioneered by Broadstairs English Centre.
school accounts and be vital if allegations are made against a Denmark, the summer camps of North teams of learners solve physical challenges How long before we see the emergence of
Updating policies and practices teacher. America and the French colonies de vacances and ‘high ropes,’ which involves crawling and the outdoor EFL specialist teacher?
Concord College Summer School Advert 171x111 HR.pdf 1 23/01/2018 11:17
Changes in circumstances require updates platforms and avoid
and adaptations to current policies and unapproved one-to- Schools’ admirable efforts must
procedures, for example – codes of conduct, continue
behaviour policies and acceptable use policies. one meetings. It is clear that the coronavirus – and
The norms of the virtual classroom have therefore the need for remote learning – will CONCORD COLLEGE
been established after an early period of trial not abate in the near future, so schools must
and error, so this is the right time for schools Providing education and training continue their impressive efforts to adapt. Summer School
to embed them. Schools should, for example, for students and staff Schools need to review their current
outline what appropriate clothing students Every new system, no matter how intuitive, approach to safeguarding to stress test
and staff should wear for virtual lessons, and has a learning curve, and teachers, parents whether it still works under these revised
restrictions on phone use. and students must be supported in getting up conditions. Only then can the school ensure
There should also be strict guidelines that to speed when schools make changes. This is that students are as safe learning remotely as
highlight the hours that students and especially important for teachers, who should they are in the classroom. C
teachers have contact, and these should never feel hesitation using the safeguarding
broadly reflect the school day. Similarly, system or concern that they are operating it M
teachers must limit interactions with students incorrectly. Charlotte Aysnley Y
to approved school accounts and platforms Training should be led by the safeguarding is the safeguarding
and avoid unapproved one-to-one meetings. or child protection lead, or the school’s CHARLOTTE AYNSLEY advisor at Impero CM
Necessary exceptions – subject to the equivalent. This ensures that there is a single, Software and a MY
approval from the senior leadership team, the consistent message on safeguarding and that digital safeguarding
student and their parents or carers – should everybody knows who to approach with consultant with a CY
also be documented. questions or concerns. broad range of CMY
Both teachers and students must also be Students may benefit from sessions experience in the
made aware that online interactions are outlining online risks and when to reach out field of internet K
subject to additional laws and regulations on to a member of staff with issues. Parents, safety – advising governments, organisations
privacy and recording. School policies should meanwhile, must be reassured that students and charities on effective strategies for keeping English courses Science courses University preparation Activities & enrichment
make clear what data to keep and what to learning from home are subject to the children safe in a digital world.
discard, balancing data protection with the rigorous level of safeguarding they expect.
importance of keeping accurate records. Foundations for Academic Success
Editors’ Note: In our UK language centre young learner specialist rankings in this issue,
Choosing the right Infrastructure +44 (0)1694 731631
and technology we have indicated which schools have signed up to the Accreditation UK code of summer.course@concordcollege.org.uk
conduct for online learning, available for review here on the British Council website:
Schools may be tempted to opt for two https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/code_of_practice_for_online_elt_0.pdf www.concordcollegeuk.com/summer-school
systems, one offline and one online. However,

24 November 2020 editorial@elgazette.com 25