Online Learning – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
I realise that it has been a big change moving from students being taught face to face in classes to learning online. With this in mind, the College has put together a series of answers to frequently asked questions that we’ve received over the past fortnight, in order to make sure that you and that your child feel supported when learning online.
How are teachers providing tasks for my child?
Subject teachers are e-mailing their classes all the learning for that week in one message. Tasks are being set as per their year group timetable – click here
How does my child access their e-mails?
- On any web browser – go to www.horizoncc.co.uk
- At the top toolbar – click on Students’ Hub
- When the Horizon Student Hub is open – click on the ‘Waffle’ icon at the top left of the homepage – this is nine dots organised in a square on a green background.
- A menu will open with a list of applications to open – select Outlook
- Your child’s school e-mails will then open.
How can I see my child's timetable?
Click here – and choose the timetable for your child’s year.
What devices does the Horizon Student Hub and Outlook work on?
You can access the Horizon Student Hub and Outlook using any internet connected device with a web browser built in – computer, tablet, phone, as well as SmartTVs, even Amazon Fire Sticks and Chromecasts.
My child is having problems submitting work electronically – what can I do to help?
Your child can read instructions from their device and then complete their work on paper – this is absolutely fine, particularly if access to connected devices is limited. If you require an exercise book, contact college via info@horizoncc.co.uk and we will happily provide one. Once their work is completed, they are welcome to take a photo of their work and attach that to an e-mail to be sent to their teacher
My child is unsure of what their teacher has asked them to do. What should they do?
Your child is welcome to contact their class teacher via their school e-mail account. The easiest way to do this is reply directly to the e-mail that their teacher has sent that day.
My child doesn't appear to be receiving any e-mails from their class teacher. How do I get support?
E-mail us via info@horizoncc.co.uk, giving your child’s name, their year group, teacher’s name and subject area. The more detail you can give the quicker and more specific support we can provide.
I am having technical issues with the Horizon Student Hub. How do I get support?
Again, parents can contact College via info@horizoncc.co.uk, giving their child’s name, their year group, and an explanation of the issue. Screenshots are incredibly helpful if you can provide them.
My child is struggling to meet deadlines. What should they do?
They are more than welcome to contact their class teacher via their school e-mail account. We are aware that families working at home may be sharing time on devices and thus limiting how long their children can use them for home learning. Please do not worry – this is a different situation for all of us and teachers are understanding of this.
My child is struggling with some of the work set by their teacher. What should they do?
They are more than welcome to contact their class teacher for support via their school e-mail account.
My child has asked their class teacher for support but haven't heard back. What should they do?
Firstly, please be aware that teachers may not be able to respond right away. This could be due to childcare issues, supporting family members, illness, poor internet connection or other considerations as a result of the current lockdown. Teachers will respond as soon as they can, but again, if there is an ongoing concern, e-mail us via info@horizoncc.co.uk giving your child’s name, their year group, and an explanation of the issue and we will deal with the matter.
My child can't access their HegartyMaths account. What should they do?
- HegartyMaths has had high volumes of user traffic due to increased online learning – they are constantly working on increasing capacity to allow more users to access the website and complete their Maths tasks. If there is an issue with the website working properly then it is best to wait until later in the day and re-try accessing the website.
- If your child needs their password resetting, then they can e-mail their class teacher directly and ask for their password to be reset.
- Otherwise, e-mail info@horizoncc.co.uk, giving your child’s name and their class teacher and we will reset their password.
How do I know if my child’s teacher has received their work?
You are welcome to request a read receipt, which is an acknowledgement that a teacher has received an e-mail from a student. In an open Outlook e-mail in a web browser, click on the three dots at the top of the e-mail, then click on Show Message Options, and then Request a Read Receipt. You’ll get a follow up e-mail once the teacher has read the e-mail.
How do I know how my child is progressing in their work?
All subjects set assessed work roughly every 6-8 lessons. This will come in the form of an online quiz, exam question, essay task, etc. Your child will receive feedback on that assessed piece – so do check regularly for this. If your child doesn’t receive any feedback, then they’re welcome to contact their class teacher in the first instance, or if this is a continuing issue, then contact info@horizoncc.co.uk and this will be followed up.
How will my child be assessed and receive feedback from their teachers whilst learning from home?
We are very impressed with the quality of work many students are submitting. Please do have a look on our Twitter page to see some fantastic examples being shared as part of Proud Thursday each week.
However, we thought it would be helpful for you to know which pieces of students’ work are being marked by their teachers, to monitor progress being made. A plan for each subject has therefore been compiled of when work will be marked, which you can find here. This will help you when you are talking to your child about the work they are doing.
We know home learning is a very different way of working and can sometimes feel overwhelming. A week is therefore always given to complete assessments, to allow students to work at their own pace and manage their own time as well as they can.
If your child is worried about completing any of the work set, please encourage them to email their teacher; we are trying to reply to all emails as quickly as possible.
My question isn’t here – what do I do?
Contact info@horizoncc.co.uk, giving your child’s name, year group and as much detail as possible about your request, and we will be in contact as soon as possible.