Home Learning Support

Working online and looking after your wellbeing

Working from home and accessing your learning materials through the Google classroom has become the new 'normal'. It is very easy to sit and stare at a computer/tablet/phone screeen for hours on end and not move from that spot. But by doing this, there is the potential that you could develop eye strain and neglect your wellbeing. Here you will find information and support to ensure you maintain positive wellbeing whilst working from home.

A message from the Mental Wellbeing Lead

Wellbeing Video

Reducing 'tech neck'

Ensuring your workspace is appropriate will help to prevent back ache and any other muscular or joint pains associated with long periods of sitting. Follow these steps below to check whether you have an appropriate setup:

  • Adjust the distance and height of your monitor with the top of the monitor at eye-level and slightly titled

  • Use a chair with a backrest and armrest and ensure the height is adjusted to the monitor

  • Relax your shoulders with your arms, legs and feet parallel to the floor

Reducing eye strain

Staring at a screen all day can result in the symptoms outlined on the image above. It's important that you regulate the amount of screen time you have throughout the day. Where you recognise any of the above symptoms, it is advised to greatly reduce your screen time to allow your eyes time to recover. But equally, you can incoproate time away from the screen into your daily routine. See the section on 'Take Five' to find out more information.

Take Five!

The effects of prolonged periods of screen time are well known and it is important to look after your physical and mental wellbeing. We're encouraging all of our students and staff to take five minutes away from digital technology immediately following a live lesson. Within these five minutes, we want to actively promote an exercise or activity that doesn't require a screen and is something that boosts your wellbeing. Keep scrolling down to see all the different activities that you can do during a five minute break to look after your wellbeing.

Here are some ways you can take a break:

  • Let out a sigh

  • Watch the clouds

  • Meditate

  • Create your own coffee break

  • View some art

  • Read or watch something funny

  • Make some music

  • Doodle

  • Do some gentle stretches

  • Buy some flowers

Here are some ways you can take a break:

  • Sit in nature

  • Write in a journal

  • Take a bike ride

  • Find a relaxing scent

  • Go on a walk

  • Turn off all electronics

  • Colour a picture in

  • Write a quick poem

  • Dance like nobody is watching

  • Engage in a small act of kindness

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work that has been set. What should I do?

We are aware of some of the accessibility issues that some of our students have faced which has meant that when access to the Google classroom is resolved, there is an overwhleming amount of work. The first thing to advise is to not worry if this is the case. Start with the most recent pieces of work that have been set and then when there is time, you may wish to go and try and finish any older pieces of work. It is important to note that there is no penalty or sanction for not completing work.

I'm getting headaches and feeling tired more than usual. What should I do?

This may be the sign of too much screen time and not giving a break to yourself. We would advise that you speak to your parent/carer in the first instance but also look to incorporate mini-breaks away from the screen throughout the day. You'll find plenty of ideas to support your wellbeing on this website but particularly with screen time, scroll up to see what you can do to avoid this.

I don't understand the work. What should I do?

Your teachers are here to support you through your home learning and are available throughout the day. You can speak to teachers live at the end of a live lesson but you can also use the private message function in the Google classroom to ask for support. if you don't feel confident in asking support then ask your parent/carer to contact school to raise any concerns you may have. The support team have also set up Google classrooms in which differentiated work is set for students to complete similar tasks to the live lesson, ensuring that no child is left behind.

What is expected of me in terms of completing work?

You have a weekly schedule of live lessons with some allocated time for Google Classroom work. During your live lessons, your teacher will give you time following the lesson to complete the work set during that lesson. This should allow you to keep on top of your work. If you fall behind, then please do not worry but try and complete your work when you get a chance.

I am completing workpacks in place of the Google classroom. What are the expectations in completing this work?

If you have been delivered a work pack then you should complete your work on this. If you have access to the live lessons then do your best to sign in to this and then complete your work on the paper packs provided. Once you have completed your paper packs then it is important that you let school know so that a new work pack can be arranged to be posted or collected.

How can I ensure my child is completing the work that is asked of them?

You can sign up to receive guardian summary notifications and see what work your child has been set by their classroom teachers. You can opt for daily or weekly summaries. You can find out more information on the Guardian Summaries Information button found below.