JNC Seesaw 25 03 25
Renfrewshire Council · 25 March 2025
Back to Renfrewshire Council Joint Negotiating Committee for Teaching Staff — 25 March 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Agenda Item .......... Renfrewshire Joint Negotiating Committee for Teachers To: Renfrewshire Joint Negotiating Committee for Teachers On: 25 March 2025 Report by Joint Secretary (Management Side) Seesaw Guidance for Establishments 1. Background 1.1. A request report was submitted by the Joint Secretary (Teachers’ Side) regarding the use of Seesaw and other digital platforms. 1.2. The focus was on the implications for teacher accessibility outside of working hours due to the instant messaging function. Some points raised were: 1.2.1. There is an expectation that learning continues to be shared with parents/carers, impacting teaching and lesson preparation time. 1.2.2. This has led to additional workload and stress for teachers, which is deemed unsustainable. 1.2.3. Despite reminders, parents/carers regularly use Seesaw as a communication method. 1.2.4. There is now an expectation that learning continues to be shared with parents/carers which is impacting teaching and preparation time. 1.2.5. This has led to additional workload and stress for teachers, which is deemed unsuitable. 1.3. A draft guidance for establishments was created by Pam McDowall, Digital Learning Manager. This guidance provides: 1.3.1. A consistent approach across establishments, including the need to agree the procedures for sharing information 1.3.2. Clear guidance on use during working hours 1.3.3. Protocols for parents 1.4. The final draft (attached) was produced for DMT approval prior to being shared with JNCT.
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2. Recommendation 2.1 The JNCT approve this guidance with a view to it being shared with schools from Term 4 to allow this to be incorporated into their Working Time Agreement for the new session.
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Seesaw Guidance for Establishments Overview Seesaw is a learning journal that shares pupil learning and achievements through a safe digital learning platform. Learners can document their learning creatively by periodically adding entries such as photos, videos, drawings and notes to profile the learning they have engaged with in class. Seesaw creates a triangle of communication between families and the establishment, whilst encouraging digital citizenship and showing how to use technology in a safe and creative way. The aim of this guidance is to ensure that all staff, parents and members of our community understand how Seesaw should be used in establishments. Aim and Purpose Seesaw may be used by establishment in Renfrewshire for the following purposes: • To give parents, carers and families’ regular updates about what their child is learning and doing in their establishment, therefore bringing them further into the life of the establishment. • To support and encourage parents, carers and families to discuss their child’s learning with them at home, therefore extending learning opportunities for children. • To compile a record of progress in learning that Early Years practitioners, teachers and learners can use to reflect on what has been achieved and what next steps might be appropriate. Privacy and Access To use Seesaw the following must be in place: • Parental consent must be obtained (see Appendix 1) and a copy of this letter stored appropriately. • If a parent/carer does not consent to the use of Seesaw, this must be recorded and managed by the establishment, ensuring all staff are made aware. • Appropriate photograph consent must be in place and staff should be mindful of this when sharing information on Seesaw and ensure no group photographs are used for these learners. • Personal information or medical information must not be shared through Seesaw. • Staff, parents and carers have a secure log in for Seesaw using the app. Children’s information is not accessible by anyone without a log-in code. • Seesaw’s privacy policy can be found here: https://seesaw.com/privacy-security/ Ways of Working • All staff must ensure that they keep their Seesaw log in codes secure. • Staff must log out of Seesaw when finished. This should be done each time.
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• If using a desktop or laptop to access Seesaw, the screen should be locked as soon as they move away from the device. • Staff should only approve posts or comments from parents or pupils in their own class. • All staff should post under their own name to ensure parents can see which member of staff is making the comment. • Only the minimum necessary personal information should be uploaded to Seesaw. Our Expectations Establishments should agree the procedures for sharing information with parents. This should include the number of posts required each week. Staff • Post regularly (as per agreement) a selection of photographs that showcase learning • Approve all comments and posts before they are visible on the learning journal • Ensure your working hours are set up on Seesaw so families are aware of these • Only respond to private messages during agreed working hours Families • Check Seesaw regularly for updates and announcements • Comment positively on any learning experiences which have been shared • Celebrate your child’s successes and encourage the skills that we are building • All pick-up and drop-off, medical information and absences must be reported via the office • Any urgent messages during the day must by made by calling the office • Parents and carers are not permitted to share images shared on Seesaw via any form of social media • Complaints should not be made via Seesaw; please contact the establishment directly by: o Telephoning for a meeting o Writing a letter to request a meeting o Speaking to staff to request a meeting • Please be mindful about when you message and avoid weekends, holidays and late in the evening. The establishment website is the main platform for sharing information and this will always be posted there in the first instance.
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Appendix One Seesaw – Our Communication App Parent Consent Seesaw is a learning journal that shares pupil learning and achievements through a safe digital learning platform. Learners can document their learning creatively by periodically adding entries such as photos, videos, drawings and notes to profile the learning they have engaged with in class. Seesaw creates a triangle of communication between families and the establishment, whilst encouraging digital citizenship and showing how to use technology in a safe and creative way. The establishment will also send important messages and reminders using Seesaw. When there are new posts or messages, you'll be notified and can see what's new. You can read more about their privacy promises here: https://web.seesaw.me/privacy. Under an EU law called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in order for your child to use Seesaw, the school must get your consent. For more information on GDPR, please visit https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/dataprotection/reform/rights-citizens. ———————————————————————————————————— When signing up to Seesaw we ask Parents/ Carers to agree to the following guidelines: • Agreed guidelines for accessing and using Seesaw ‘Online Learning Journeys’ • As a parent/carer I agree to: o Check Seesaw regularly for updates and announcements o Comment positively on any learning experiences which have been shared o Celebrate my child’s successes and encourage the skills that we are building o Report all pick-up and drop-off, medical information and absences via the office o Call the office for any urgent messages during the day o Not publish any of my child’s observations, photographs or videos on any social media site. o Understand that my child’s image may be used in another child’s profile if they are engaged in the same activity. o This image will not be shared by the other parent (please see above point) o Keep the login details within my trusted family Speak to a member of staff if I experience any difficulties accessing my child’s learning journey o Complaints should not be made via Seesaw; please contact the establishment directly by: ▪ Telephoning for a meeting ▪ Writing a letter to request a meeting ▪ Speaking to staff to request a meeting o Please be mindful about when you message and avoid weekends, holidays and late in the evening.
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I give consent for my child, listed below, to use Seesaw. Student Name: ____________________________ Class:________________________________ Parent Printed Name: _______________________ Parent Signature:_______________________ Establishment Name: Tel: E-mail: