AS pupils start to settle into their new Covid-secure routines, Birchwood Community High School is placing equal importance on making sure school life outside the classroom carries on as much as possible.

The coronavirus crisis has changed many aspects of education, from year groups 'bubbles' and staggered start times to online learning.

Emma Mills, head teacher at Birchwood High, explained how some extra-curricular activities at the Brock Road school have been adapted.

"We have had to think outside the box for some of the challenges we have faced," she said.

"For example, we wanted our singing lessons to be able to continue so we have fitted a large Perspex screen for the student to sing into with the teacher on the other side and this is cleaned after each lesson.

"This means we can ensure that we are getting back as close to normal as we can for our students.

"Our staff have also become very adept at making and delivering virtual assemblies so that students are not missing out on this vital part of school life, but they are being delivered as safely as possible with students watching from their form room with their form tutor.

"We are also currently trialling year 11 students at home being able to join their lesson that is taking place in school through Microsoft Teams.

"It has been working very well so far and we are planning to roll this out with more year groups as and when our numbers isolating increase.

"We do have online work available for all students in all year groups for every subject that is ready for any student working at home or not in lesson for any reason at all."

Meanwhile, Emma explained how a large amount of work has been carried out with the school's pastoral team, to support pupils' transition into the 'new normal'.

"The main challenge some of our students have found in coming back has really been around an understandable anxiety related to Covid-19 after feeling quite protected at home for such a long time," she said.

"It has been very important for us as a school to empathise with these feelings and understand how our families are also feeling in the current climate.

"We are keeping our lines of communication very open with parents and carers through a weekly letter from myself, and an email straight away if there is any news that is Covid-19 related.

"In terms of students’ anxieties, the very experienced and able pastoral team that we now have in place, plus the very clear systems that we have in place around school, mean that we have successfully pre-empted these feelings and concerns so that the vast majority of students have come back to school very happy and we are able to support the few that struggle.

"On the whole, behaviour has never been better around school, lessons are focused and purposeful.

"This year is definitely harder, physically and emotionally, for teachers and staff in the school, that is for sure, but we know that we are doing the very best that we can for our students and they are thriving in spite of the current circumstances.

"I am very lucky to work in a school with such a selfless and dedicated body of staff.

"I am very grateful for all that they are doing for our whole school community."