Lots of activities will become the new norm in school
SARAH SUTHERLAND Head of pre-prep at Windlesham House
Many parents are also struggling to explain coronavirus to their young children or are having concerns about their child starting school while the virus and social distancing measures are still present.
Zuzu said: “The Department for Education is constantly reviewing the processes in schools so come September, over the summer period, they will have worked hard and they will know what works and what doesn’t work. It should all be more efficient.
“They have a duty of care , so they are also looking more closely at mental health issues for all children returning to school after an extended period at home during lockdown - that is not just new starters but all children who have been at home during the pandemic.”
Sarah Sutherland head of pre-prep at Windlesham House School near Pulborough, says children will be able to understand the restrictions in place and will quickly become used to the new normal.
She said, “Although four to five years-olds will be increasingly developing their language skills, they don’t have the ability to analyse and interpret information in the same way that adults do, but the truth is, they don’t need to. Most experts agree that younger children don’t need to be exposed to unnecessary information, but only the details that will keep them and their peers safe. Schools will be taking the same approach, by educating younger children on the things they need to do to stay safe in the classroom.
“Young children do understand about spreading germs, ‘getting sick’, they will resonate with what it is like to feel poorly and why you take medicine to feel better etc. What they fear the most at this age is usually separation from their parents. Answer questions if they crop up, but speak in their language and keep it very simple and relevant to them.
“When it comes to starting school in a socially distanced world, routine and reassurance is key for younger children.
“Lots of activities will become the new norm in school, from learning outdoors more often to washing hands and playing in smaller groups. Where parents can replicate some of this at home, the child will be more used to those activities.”
It is not just the new starters that may struggle to adapt, all school pupils will be having to get used to changes when they return and many will be moving up to a new school in September.
Simon Liley, headteacher at the Angmering School in Littlehampton, said: “We at The Angmering School are delighted that the government has now published the guidance for schools to reopen to all students in September.
“We are working hard to coordinate our response, ensuring that student and staff safety and well being are at the heart of the plan. There are going to be some logistical challenges in creating bubbles within a secondary school but after such a long time without seeing so many of our students we are really excited to be planning for their full return.”
Adam Whitehead, headteacher and the Bohunt Worthing School, said he was pleased to receive some government guidance and was also looking forward to planning a safe return.
He said: ”At Bohunt School Worthing throughout lockdown we have managed to support our students with excellent provision; whether in or out of school.
“It is good to finally have guidance from the government which we can work with to implement for September.
“Getting all students back to school, so long as it is safe, has always been our goal. We now have a number of weeks of hard work in order to plan how this can be done for our local context.
“We are fortunate to part of the Bohunt Education Trust, which means we will be able to share planning and expertise in order to produce the safest and most effective plan for return.
“There are many challenges inherent in achieving this so that all students receive the best education possible.”
To find out more about Zuzu Jordan’s Facebook page, which has been recognised by the Department of Education, visit www.facebook.com/ edumateuk.