WARM smiles greeted year 10 students as they returned to Middlewich High School today after working at home alone for three months.
Meticulous planning ensured that pupils and teachers were kept two metres apart at all times.
Headteacher Heidi Thurland said: “It has been lovely to welcome students back and for the school to feel more like normal.
“We have missed our students so much, it has been lovely to see them enjoying some interaction with each other, socially distanced of course.
“Our students arrived calmly, on time and have been a pleasure to work with, as always. A highly successful first day back.”
Classrooms been remodelled to meet stringent new safety regulations. Around 25 per cent of pupils attended for three hours on Tuesday and another group will be welcomed on Thursday.
Classrooms have been remodelled to keep students apart
Around 80 per cent of year 10 pupils are expected to return. No more than 12 students are allowed in a classroom at numbered desks.
Fire exits are being kept open for ventilation and hand sanitisers are available. The sports hall has been turned into a canteen.
“We have forensically organised this,” said Ms Thurland. “I am very confident the plans we have in place minimise the risk of bringing the virus into school. For the past 12 weeks we have had vulnerable children and the children of key workers here and no teachers or students have become ill.”
Pupils will be studying English, maths and science and have online access to all core subjects.
“Face to face interaction is the difference,” said Ms Thurland. “Students have missed the structure, the day to day contact.”
Parents and teachers have been working together throughout lockdown to support students.
“Our community engagement has been absolutely excellent,” she said.”Parents have been brilliant. All my staff have worked incredibly hard throughout this period to support families and children.
Heidi Thurland, headteacher at Middlewich High School says it was lovely to welcome students back
“It is a partnership. Our catchphrase throughout the pandemic is ‘Together we’ve got this’. It is a whole community effort.”
Building on all the good things that have been achieved during lockdown, she believes, will strengthen the bond.
“I’ve got huge confidence in the community’s ability to get through this and come out the other side with real positivity. Students are better at self managing themselves and our computer equipment is better than it has ever been.
“Students have gone out and done things for the community. Everyone has gone the extra mile. We can learn from this and continue to build on it. We’ve got an amazing community and we have learnt a lot from each other.”
The painstaking efforts of teachers keeping students engaged and motivated have been commended.
“We should recognise the work of all the staff, they have been amazing, said Ms Thurland. “They have worked through holidays and weekends.
“This is the end of my first year of headship and I have seen such commitment.”
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A virtual celebration is being planned to mark the school’s incredible achievements during the past year.
“We want to recognise everyone’s contributions, all year groups,” she said. “Year 11 students have missed out on signature events like their prom and their exams.
“We will have a virtual celebration during the last week of term and stream it out to all our families.
“Children are at the heart of everything we do.”
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