Ballard School praised by parents for online school facilities

Following the closure of schools due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the speed with which Ballard School has set up a fully functioning remote school, complete with live lessons and virtual class discussions, has received praise from parents.

Ballard School has been quick to implement a completely new way of teaching following the sudden closure of schools on March 20th.

With the Government announcement coming just two days before schools were required to close, staff at Ballard School had to work fast to provide a high standard of education for pupils on a remote basis just a few days later.

The independent school in New Milton, Hampshire, which provides education for children aged 2-16, set out a clear plan, with the intention that pupils should follow their normal timetable. All lessons from pupils’ timetables are being replicated online, complete with resources, via Microsoft SharePoint. Staff were also given training in the group communication and collaboration platform, Microsoft TEAMS, to enable them to deliver lessons and engage with their classes remotely.

A parent from Ballard School said: “It really has felt like the teachers are leading things and it is lovely to hear the children chatting as they work online with the teacher’s support in the background. It's a massive relief to feel my daughter can continue her education supported by her dedicated teachers”

Many teachers began delivering “live” lessons during the first week of the school closures, with the aim being that every teacher will do so from the beginning of the summer term on April 21st.

The online learning offered has enabled Ballard pupils to receive lessons, receive guidance and feedback and engage in discussions live online – much as they would during their normal school day. Teachers have even been taking a virtual register for pupils’ familiarity.

Another parent from Ballard School said: “Thank you all once again for your dedication and hard work. It’s truly amazing how everyone is pulling together at this time. My son told me this morning that he feels that everything is going well for him so far. It’s giving him structure to his day, keeping him focused and helps him to still very much feel part of the school, so a huge thank you again from all of us!”

Headmaster at Ballard School, Andrew McCleave, said: “For all staff, this is a completely different way of teaching. I think the teachers and support staff have done an amazing job to get us to where we are with the online learning.

“We are also so grateful for the patience and support shown by our families, who themselves are going through enormous upheaval in their own lives. I am very proud of the entire Ballard School community for how it has shown such resilience through this unsettling period.

“We feel it is so important that teachers can still interact and respond to their pupils, and that classes can engage in discussions together. That is why we are determined to provide a fully-functioning remote school for all of our pupils. What is in place has given pupils a sense of stability, continuity and ongoing connection with their school community.”

It is uncertain when schools will reopen, with Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson MP, stating that schools would be closed “until further notice”. Mr Williamson stated that it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that schools will be closed until September. This means that Year 11 pupils will be unable to formally end their education at Ballard School.

Andrew McCleave continued: “I feel particularly sad for those Year 11 pupils who may be unable to mark their final days at Ballard as we close the School prematurely. We have assured them that we will make sure the end of their time at Ballard will be marked properly when we can all be together again.”