Teachers and pupils share their delight after the Government's latest announcement that schools can reopen to pupils on 8 March 2021.
On Monday 8th March Westbourne House School will be allowed to open its doors to all pupils once again and be full of the laughter and chatter of 350 plus children.
Here we find out how the school is preparing for the comeback, and what measures have been put in place to protect all staff and pupils at the school, and what the teachers and children think about finally going back to the classroom.
We were delighted to hear the Government’s announcement. We cannot wait to see the children back in the classrooms and playing games and sport outside with their friends. Children need face-to-face socialisation and lots of physical activity every bit as much as face-to-face teaching. Being with friends and being active in playtimes as well as during PE and Games lessons is absolutely crucial for their wellbeing and health.
Our remote learning has received excellent satisfaction ratings from both the parents and the pupils after we surveyed them, but there is no question that in-classroom teaching is better from all perspectives. The children will be assessed prior to their return, which is critical for identifying which gaps, if any, need to be filled.
Martin Barker, Headmaster, Westbourne House School
“Having only been physically in school for just three months in the last year, we are keen to maximise the pupils’ time in school. We will therefore be starting the Summer term earlier on Monday 19 April."
“I have been staggered by the resilience and good humour of all our pupils across the year groups and by my incredible staff team - it is this that has kept us afloat throughout the latest lockdown, and this spirit that will help us as we move back to school and everything changes again. I am very proud of them all,” he added.
Peter Fisher, Deputy Head, is managing the children's return to school. He said: "Our aim is to keep the whole community as safe as possible during the easing of lockdown, whilst ensuring that school remains as fun and industrious as it always is."
"During the Autumn term, we honed our Covid-safe measures and most of these will remain in place. Staggered drop-offs and pick-ups continue, and the children will definitely recognise the Army-style tents at the various pick up points, which come into their own in bad weather. We will continue to keep the year groups separate in their 'bubbles' thanks to the many measures in place such as one-way systems, separate play spaces and extended lunchtimes.
"We very much look forward to the day when we can open our doors fully and our parents can access the school as they normally would. In the meantime, we plan to keep the parent-school relationship as close as possible through remote parents' evenings and regular communication between school, teachers and parents."
“I have seen huge positives in keeping the Nursery open for our youngest children and I can’t wait for the rest of our pupils to return and enjoy all the opportunities and experiences that come with being in school."
“Developing relationships, sharing kindness and empathy, eating a school dinner with your mates, kicking a football at break time - there are so many intangibles that remote learning can never provide. If I could bottle that joy, fun and laughter on that first day back, it would probably be enough to fuel a rocket to join the Perseverance Rover on Mars. It’s epic news in every single way.”
Teaching science online is not quite the same, I cannot wait to get them all back in a lab getting stuck into experiments again. We are so proud of how all the children have coped during these extraordinary times. It will be so exciting to have our community back together again, we cannot wait!”
Science Teacher and Head of Year 7, Dan Brown
The children have done remarkably well with their Drama lessons throughout the remote learning phase, putting on dramatic radio plays and staging elaborate puppet shows with their teddies and real animals! However, nothing matches the buzz of a real live audience for the pupils and we are thrilled to learn that there are plans, all being well, to welcome audiences back to live events later in 2021. We have certainly missed the magic of the musicals and giving every child in the school the chance to enjoy their moment of fame on our stage.
Head of Drama, Ed Cousens
“Personally, I have missed being in the classroom enormously, and I cannot wait to see my students and colleagues at school rather than from behind a screen.”
“It is really exciting to be going back. Although being able to see the children everyday online was great, it was never going to be the same. I have missed seeing the children - their energy, smiles and happiness makes teaching the job it is, so it’ll be great to see them all. The anticipation for Monday 8th will only build and build until the day arrives!"
Spanish and French Teacher, Miss Barrow
Our pupils and their parents were equally delighted by the news. Beatrice, age 6, said: “I am looking forward to playing with my friends in the playground. We love playing spy games in the woods."
Arthur’s mother, added: “I hope everyone remembers the special times we have all had with the children, I will miss them once they go back. I guess there will be less walks and reading with the odd board game in the afternoon, but definitely less gaming.”
Their mother added: “I’m definitely relieved that they are going back to school. I’m not in the slightest bit apprehensive but I do think there will be a little bit of adjustment needed as they reintegrate with their peers in groups after so much time one-on-one.”
The girls’ mum, said: “We are really pleased the girls will be going back to school both for their education and mental health and wellbeing.”
Please register to join Westbourne House School online at our Virtual Open Morning on Saturday 6th March and visit the school in person at our Open Morning on 22 May 2021. www.westbournehouse.org . For further information about the school please contact Admissions Manager, Mrs Aline Pilcher, at admissions@westbournehouse.org