As lockdown eases I am looking forward to getting back out into the constituency, and I was pleased to start by visiting some local schools this morning. I met the heads at Burbage Primary School, Devizes School and Bishops Cannings Primary School to discuss the challenges posed by lockdown and look ahead to September, when schools are currently expected to reopen to all year groups.
Each of the schools I visited today, like many across the country, had remained physically open in some capacity since March. At Burbage and Bishops Cannings children of all ages have now returned for some face-to-face schooling each week, on a rolling rota basis. I really encourage this common-sense approach where possible. Although it poses some logistical challenges when it comes to creating ‘bubbles’ or pods to replace previous classes, or finding staff to teach each of these groups, even a few focused hours a week will benefit pupils. Ultimately the common goal for Government, teachers and the majority of parents is to get children back in school and learning in the safest way possible.
Where this is not possible, online learning should be encouraged, particularly proper ‘face to face’ interactions with teachers or live learning. Issues such as safeguarding or software practicalities that may have prevented this back in March now appear to have been resolved for the most part, and for any children who may have shielding families and cannot return to school, making sure they do not miss out on the learning is key.
At each school the pupils told me they had enjoyed lockdown - mostly because of more time spent playing games with their families (and dogs in some cases) – but all were happy to be back with their classmates and teachers. While some were slightly disappointed at missing events they’d looked forward to, like a leavers’ assembly or play for the Year 6s, they were all positive and had adapted well to the ‘new normal’ of their school lives. At Bishops Cannings I was also pleased to receive letters from the pupils (which I will of course respond to) and a cookbook inspired by their time in lockdown.