New Ways of Working
Supporting staff and students to achieve their full potential since 1968
Welcome to our weekly CENMAC blog post.
New Ways of Working | by Mary Long, CENMAC Advisory Teacher
As we near the end of the first full week back at school for many after what feels like forever, we wanted to share our experiences of the ‘new ways of working’. Schools, nurseries and colleges have all been flat out welcoming students back to school but in a way that has never been experienced before.
New hygiene measures, social distancing systems, modified timetables and adaptations to whole school activities have all been introduced. One SENCO apologised for not replying to an email from their CENMAC Advisory Teacher immediately, commenting that staff had been ‘sprinting’ since the start of this term. CENMAC realise that there is so much going on right now and will do our best to support and hopefully alleviate some of the pressure that schools are facing.
New hygiene measures, social distancing systems, modified timetables and adaptations to whole school activities have all been introduced.
The CENMAC Team have also made adjustments to our ways of working and are continuing to carry out face to face visits in situations only where this is essential and where support cannot be offered via remote means. In the majority of cases, we will continue to arrange ‘Virtual Visits’ for students and staff, and complete new assessments and review meetings via video and telephone calls. If there is a case where we simply cannot complete tasks remotely, then we will attend in person, following discussions within the team, and with the school, and after completion of a COVID-19 risk assessment.
If making a face to face visit, we will follow local and government safe travel guidance, walking and cycling where possible, and if using public transport, wearing face coverings and travelling outside of peak rush hour times. This may mean that timings for school visits need to be centred more in the middle of the day.
Once on site, we will follow the mantra ‘Hands, Face, Space’ and ensure that we wash hands (or use sanitiser) regularly, make use of face coverings or visors, and maintain the required social distancing space when working with students and adults. To help us maintain safety when demonstrating equipment and software to students and staff, each member of the CENMAC team has their own PPE, as well as their own portable Perspex screen, which we have been trialling in some on-site training sessions at CENMAC HQ.
To help us maintain safety when demonstrating equipment and software to students and staff, each member of the CENMAC team has their own PPE, as well as their own portable Perspex screen
We hope that goes some way to remind and reassure you that the health and safety of the students, staff and families that we work with is paramount. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your CENMAC Advisory Teacher.
Don’t forget you can share your CENMAC experiences for our CENMAC family to enjoy.
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