‘It sounds like a real school again’ said a relieved King's Lynn primary school head of school
Children and parents were all smiles yesterday for the long-awaited return to West Norfolk’s schools following strict lockdown measures.
While yesterday saw the primary school pupils make their return to the classroom, secondary pupils will have a staggered return this week as school-based testing is introduced.
Speaking to the Lynn News after yesterday morning’s school run, Hayley Pink, head of school at St Martha’s Catholic Primary School in Lynn, said: “It went really, really well. The kids were so excited to be back with their friends and the parents were happy too.
St Martha's Catholic Primary School King's Lynn, welcomes pupils back on Monday 8th March 2021, after the recent Covid 19 Lockdown...Head of School Mrs Hayley Pink with some of the returning pupils.. (44947800)
“The main difference is the volume around the school, it sounds like a real school again.
“I just feel such a sense of relief that the kids are back and the parents can go back to work, it’s taken the pressure off them.”
Norfolk County Council stressed last week ahead of the schools reopening that regular testing would be key to a successful return.
Chris Snudden, NCC’s director of inclusion and learning, said: “It is important for children to go back to school, so younger children can see their friends and play, and teachers can get students back to learning ahead of the summer term.
“For older children it is going to be less about the socialisation and play, but it is going to be crucial for them to get back to school routines so we can make a flying start in the summer term.”
West Norfolk’s teachers have been working closely with parents to alleviate concerns over the return to school.
Chris Read, interim headteacher for DNEAT which manages several academies across West Norfolk, said: “Obviously, there will be some anxieties for children, teachers and parents but we have worked together to ensure that everyone understands the measures we have taken to reduce the risk of infection within the schools.
“The experience of the last year will allow us to get the balance right between responding to the children’s emotional needs and helping fill the most significant gaps in their learning. We want to safely establish school routines and deliver a curriculum that engages and meets the needs of the children.”
Norfolk County Council has said the push for regular testing will not stop at the school gates, with regular Covid testing proving a vital part in the move towards a “more normal way of life”.
Dr Louise Smith, NCC director of public health, said: “It is inevitable that as we increase testing, reduce the restrictions and more people start to mix, that we will see more cases being identified. This is why early testing and the vaccination programme is so important. If we can pick up these cases early, we can prevent them from spreading.”
