CHATTY children at Weaverham Primary Academy have enjoyed special ‘friendship groups’ to help them catch up on some fun missed during lockdown.

The school has created the groups to ease children back into social interaction and give them the opportunity to rebuild healthy relationships.

They are being encouraged to talk through feelings and learn coping strategies for when they are anxious or worried.

Head of School Jo Price says children are being eased back into school life following lockdown.

She said: "The engagement in live learning from home was exceptionally high, which has made the transition back to school a lot easier.

"We've had a wonderful first week, but we are all mindful that children have had a lot to deal with and whilst they seem happy and chatty on the surface they may be harbouring anxieties, or just finding the school day tiring.

Northwich Guardian: The children at Weaverham Primary Academy have been enjoying 'friendship groups' since returning to school last week.

The children at Weaverham Primary Academy have been enjoying 'friendship groups' since returning to school last week.

"To help the children settle we have focused on feelings - how the children are feeling about coming back, any worries they have and what strategies they can use for when they are worried.

"We have talked about resilience and re-looked at our class emotional thermometers, started support sessions and friendship groups as the children have missed social interaction.

"We have focussed on settling back and getting used to routines, made learning practical and fun and have exercised outside, as much as possible, weather permitting."

Northwich Guardian: The children at Weaverham Primary Academy have been enjoying 'friendship groups' since returning to school last week.

Weaverham has been run by the North West Academies Trust (NWAT) – one of the country’s highest-performing trusts with a superb record of improving schools and getting results – since November 2018.