38 CORONAVIRUS AND ITS IMPACT ON DARTMOUTH SCHOOLS
Life has been strange and difficult for most grown-ups during the Covid-19 lockdown but children have also seen their lives turned upside down as a direct result of the virus. Pop up classrooms have emerged in homes across Dartmouth and Kingswear with dining room tables doubling up as school desks and gardens becoming playgrounds. Throughout lockdown schools have remained open for the children of key workers and vulnerable young people, and many others returned in June. We spoke to the heads of two local schools to find out how the strict rules have affected lessons…
Pupils practising the two metre social distancing rules at school. Liz Hamilton, HEAD OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIMARY. L
ife never stopped for some teachers and pupils at St Johns who continued to go
to school throughout lockdown. From the start they took children of key workers and vulnerable young people in school and set lesson plans for home learning for all other children. Then, at the beginning of June, the Government said Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 could return, which meant more children could see their teachers face-to-face inside secure class ‘bubbles’. The children work, play and eat in these classroom bubbles which have no more than 15 pupils to help with social distancing. The members of each bubble arrive and leave through their own separate entrance and start and end the day at staggered intervals. Headteacher Liz Hamilton says
children have taken to the changes beautifully: “They adapted so well. It was really nice to see their smiling faces in school again. Many like it as they are getting so much attention from staff as the pupil/
adult ratio is pretty low. We have had 55% of eligible children return so far which is higher than the Devon and national average and each week we see one or two more trickle in.” Liz says they’re lucky to have
three playgrounds and a field which means each bubble gets a separate outdoor area as well. An arty member of staff has helped freshen things up during lockdown by revamping an old cloakroom space into a rainbow themed library and painting an underwater seascape onto a playground wall which provides a new focus for the children. For those at home, teaching staff send regular lesson ideas and have zoom meetings to check children and parents are coping okay. “It’s important to keep the dialogue going as we want to make sure everyone is happy and feels supported. We have been very impressed with the enthusiasm and level of work, which we showcase in our newsletter each week.” They
have tried to stick to the curriculum but have also spent quite a bit of time on creative and physical activities to make sure pupils feel happy and secure. Liz is hoping to gradually welcome more year groups back but says she will be pleased in September when everyone returns: “Children need social contact with their peers, even if it is talking and playing at a distance. You could see the positive change in children in a day when they returned in June.” •
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