We currently have 52 students working with ConnectEd and these are spread throughout KS3 and 4. The Primary Support Service (CAIST) also make use of our portal for their pupils.

Pupils are referred to us from other parts of EOTAS, throughout Cambridgeshire and our students come from a variety of backgrounds:

Too ill to attend school

At risk of exclusion

Have been excluded

Need an alternative education programme

Require additional support before returning to school

Reclusive and so will not accept home tuition

Young Mothers

School Phobic

Between moves to another school

Whatever the background our aim is to give our students the best possible provision and, if possible, get them back into school or ensure that they can gain a recognised qualification by the time they leave school.

Our school population is therefore somewhat fluid and this bringing its own challenges. However, it is planned to take a different approach next year.

We need to increase the provision for our students to at least 15 hours per week. We are therefore hoping to have a smaller group of 'pure' ConnectEd pupils and offer them a wider curriculum, making use of the virtual classroom to run more lesson during the week.

 

What would it be like working for ConnectEd?

When you start we'll give you a fairly intensive but hopefully, enjoyable induction period. You will be on a reduced timetable until you have an understanding of the systems we use and have developed your skills . You will be able to sit in on class lessons run by experienced staff and to try your hand with test lessons etc.

Teaching online is very intensive, both for the teacher and the student! Lessons are limited to 45 minutes in duration. Not least for Health and Safety reasons, staff and students have at least 15 min break between lessons.

The development of quality materials for the use online is A TIME CONSUMING BUSINESS! As a staff we spend many hours developing resources, trawling the internet, revamping work. Because it is such a time consuming process we currently teach 50% of our available teaching slots. The non-teaching time is for material preparation, keeping up contact logs, inducting new students, carrying out assessments etc etc. We are keen not to reinvent wheels so we actively seek good commercially produced materials to use. We are also working with a couple of Village Colleges in Cambridgeshire to develop online materials.

Space is limited in the ConnectEd Offices, so we do spend part of our time working from home. This is not a formal arrangement but ad-hoc. Hopefully, with the increased time available for home visits, and staff willingness to continue some home working, we will be able to find some space for you!