Hetton Lyons Primary and Nursery School stress the importance of routine to support vulnerable students and children of key workers who are still in school, as well as easing worries from parents.
The school day begins with a YouTube video from Joe Wicks the fitness guru who has set up free PE lessons which are accessible to all schools. The rest of the school day is broken up into slots so the children have time for a variety of teaching activities which is administered through learning packs, creative time and active time which keeps the children’s brains active. The past week has focused on, hatching chicks in Early Years; writing a rap about self-isolation which has been attached to the school fence, as well as an exercise where the children thought about what makes them proud about their parents.
Planning for the penultimate week before the Easter break includes the annual egg decorating and rolling, as well as the school garden getting some attention from the pupils. Staff noticed that parents were upset and worried about dropping their children off to go to work, but seeing the happy faces at the end of the day coming out of school has helped ease their minds. Head Teacher Susan Bell shared a letter from a parent which commended the school:
"Hi Mrs Bell,
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say how amazing the teaching staff are. My son is in year 3 and every day he has had his work marked online with lovely comments. Also, we are able to communicate with the teachers every day. My Daughter in Reception and Miss McIntosh is a special teacher, our questions are answered straight away and we have been sharing our learning journey with her. Although they aren’t at school they still feel connected with their teachers. I just want to say thank you, you all have been a godsend throughout this chaos. Hope you are all well."
Staff at the school will continue to support students throughout the Easter break to support those vulnerable children and provide essential workers with much needed childcare.