Heath Lane students are learning how to work at home during the coronavirus crisis

PUPILS at a school in Earl Shilton learnt about how to work from home ahead of the school being forced to close.

Students at Heath Lane Academy benefited from assemblies in the weeks leading up to the Covid-19 shutdown, on how young people should structure their day and make time to look after their wellbeing.

The school-wide meetings helped prepare pupils for what it would be like working on their own at home.

They were advised to maintain their usual weekday routine and follow their timetable wherever possible.

Advice was issued on how to stay safe online and the youths were told of the importance of taking breaks and choosing fun activities to add variety to their day.

School principal Megan Morris said: “The Government advice to close all schools had been widely trailed before it happened, and we could see school closures happening in other parts of the UK.

“As a result, our teachers started working to prepare pupils for this change to their normal experience of education.

“We also spent a great deal of time uploading resources to our website which has become a simple, single point of access for all learning materials.”

All pupils were provided with workbooks and the materials they needed to continue their learning after the school was closed.

“The school has made it easy for pupils and parents to access the learning materials by year group and we keep in touch with everybody through weekly bulletins. The feedback from parents has been very positive so far and I am enjoying hearing how pupils are learning new skills at home with an increased interest in practical topics including domestic science, home economics and gardening.

There are so many tasks and activities that pupils can do in their own home and we are delighted that they have embraced the challenge of learning in a new way.”

Systems were also put in place so students can continue with their school routine throughout the Easter holiday period.

This will help them to manage their time during social distancing and help parents who may be struggling for ideas to keep their children occupied.

The school has worked with Morrisons supermarket to provide vouchers for groceries to families with children who usually receive free school meals.

It also organised hampers of essentials to be delivered to vulnerable families that need extra support.

A joint mini school has been set up for children of key workers from the four Midland Academy Trust, working with trust sponsors North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC).

Marion Plant, chief executive of the Midland Academies Trust and principal of NWSLC, said: “The actions that Megan and the team at Heath Lane Academy have taken to prepare for the closure of schools during social distancing has provided all pupils and their parents with a really solid foundation on which to work during this challenging period.

“I am delighted that the school community has embraced the new way of working so well and that pupils are able to continue learning new skills at this difficult time.

“I am grateful to all staff across the Midland Academies Trust for their hard work and dedication which is really making a difference to students and their families.”