Virtual school for banned pupils

Remote learning can help prevent pupils from falling behind

A virtual classroom has gone live on the internet so pupils excluded from school can carry on with their studies.

For two days a week, a group of Year 10 students in Ealing, west London, and Brent, north London, are being taught online from home.

They partake in the lesson using a microphone, headset, instant messaging and an interactive whiteboard.

The virtual school is provided by Accipio Learning, which specialises in online teaching.

'E-learning'

"We use an interactive whiteboard," said Eileen Fields, a teacher at Accipio Learning.

"We use MSN Messenger and we have a two-way voice so I can ask a question, they put their hands up and then they reply."

Ealing council's Bridie McDonagh believes the virtual school can help prevent excluded pupils from falling behind with their studies.

"Something like an e-learning option online curriculum could be made available as a part-time option for young people," she said.

"We can tailor programmes using an e-learning option so that children don't need to fall out of school."

During the rest of the school week, the pupils involved in the scheme will attend a pupil referral unit.