Outwood Family Catch Up Series...Esther Bilby

As part of our new feature, we are talking with members of the Outwood Family and finding out how life has changed for them since the school closures announcement.

This time we chat with Esther Bilby, Head of Modern Foreign Languages and SENDCo at Outwood Academy Ripon.

Read on to see how Esther’s day to day life has been changed due to the social distancing measures taken by the Government.

[Outwood.com] Hi Esther, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. We appreciate you’re busy, so let’s get to it! Things have been turned upside down recently, for reasons we are all too aware of. So, for you what has been the most difficult aspect of the lockdown period for you and your work?

“Hi, I am happy to be asked to take part! Well, I think the most difficult aspect for me, like many others, has been balancing working from home with childcare responsibilities and housework. Essentially, everything needs doing so much more often when you're in all the time! 

“Also, it has been very difficult not being able to have those immediate face-to-face conversations with students and colleagues.”

That is true. Things seem to need doing a lot more often when a house is full all day, every day. What is a typical day for you then now, Esther?

“After getting up, I make sure that my 13 year old son is ready to work for the morning and has eaten breakfast. Following this, I log on to Google Classroom where I complete welfare check-ins with a different year group each day through our Virtual VMG programme.

“I am running the Virtual VMG as an AAP Deeps role, so part of my work recently has involved coordinating this and getting it all up and running successfully across the school. I also have a look at the work I have set for students that week, see how they are getting on with it and provide marking and feedback. 

“Additionally, in my department, each year has regular challenges and competitions set, so I might set one of those or look at contributions and update the leaderboard. Students can win prizes for their participation and effort on these once they are back at school! 

“On a typical day, I might also create resources for students, which is much less straightforward when you have to think about how well they can access these without your support in the classroom. 

“Then on some days, I attend Google Meets for HoDs and SLT, where we discuss how to ensure the provision for students is high quality and what might need changing, or what is going well.”

Wow, that sounds like a lot of things are happening.

“It is, and it’s not all! As SENDCo, I also consider our students with SEND at home and liaise with their teachers  and colleagues making regular calls home to students about how they are getting on with their work and whether any additional support may be required, so that I can support with this and provide help and guidance. I'm also involved in planning resources to help our upcoming Y6 students with their transition. 

“To keep the school-community link alive, one of the things I am doing is setting regular competitions on Twitter - recently, I've created a book quiz, short story competition and book cover contest to celebrate World Book Night. 

“There are always plenty of emails to answer and feedback and guidance to give to students, both academically and in terms of their wellbeing, throughout the day.”

Sounds like your days are full to the brim! Would you say this has surprised you most since lockdown began? 

“Definitely. Whilst not physically teaching in a classroom, the number of hours I am working is at least as many, and honestly it is most likely more. It takes a lot of thought, careful preparation and time to make sure that students can access work and are ok. Obviously I am happy to do it because that’s what we are committed to as educators, putting students first.”

It really does seem like an incredible workload. Would you say the reward of still being able to help students is the most satisfying thing you’ve found since the lockdown measures were introduced?

“Without a doubt. Being able to support students at home during these unprecedented and difficult times is the most satisfying thing.”

Looking forward to when these measures are relaxed, how do you think your approach to work post-lockdown will be affected by this time?

“Like many people, I am really looking forward to getting back to school and working with our brilliant young people in person. 

“I think it will take a lot of time for some students to get used to working in a structured way again and that our role as both instructors and proponents of mental wellbeing will be really important in helping them move forward successfully.”

Thank you very much for your time, Esther.