First day back at school gets top marks

Along with their teachers, today marked the first time many have stepped inside their classroom for more than six months.

When lock down was imposed in March many schools remained open with skeleton staff to cater for the vulnerable and those from key worker families.

Many teachers though worked from home providing online lessons for their pupils but the next few weeks will be spent assessing how much pupils have missed out on.

Now back in class, the “new normal” involves hand sanitiser stations and messages about hand washing posted around the buildings.

Schools have organised one way systems to keep pupils separated and to avoid overcrowding in corridors and communal areas while in classrooms there is no more sitting around the tables, seating has been re-arranged so that pupils sit in rows and face forward.

Primary school pupils have been placed into pods and bubbles, with the youngsters sticking to a specific group who will work, play and eat together.

Annalise Howarth, head at English Martyrs Catholic Primary in Preston said: “We have staggered start times so the children don’t; all arrive and leave at once. We are very lucky that we have separate entrances and exits so separating the children is not a problem. The early years have their own play area and we have marked off the main play areas to comply with social distancing.”

Eldon Primary has been working with families to prepare for the changes and has even had outdoor washbasins installed so children and parents can wash their hands regularly.

In most secondary schools each year group will be allotted it’s own area and pupils must wear face coverings in corridors and communal areas around school.

Matt Eastham headteacher at Priory Academy in Penwortham, near Preston, was delighted with the response from both staff and pupils on the first day back and said: “ To walk round the school, watching the pupils in their lessons and listening to the enthusiasm displayed by them and their staff has been uplifting.”

He added: " We’ve found that, although aspects of the school are of course different from what we have been used to, pupils have returned excited and happy.

"We’re extremely proud of the way pupils engaged with our reopening information prior to them coming in . This allowed them to arrive informed and less anxious about what school might be like and has ensured our return to full opening has been a smooth one."

Ivan Gaughan head at Holy Cross Catholic High in Chorley said the first day went “incredibly well." He added: " We are all pleased and relieved to be back doing the job we love. The children have been brilliant and we can't wait to see the rest of the year groups on Thursday and Friday."