Pupils set for classroom ‘culture shock’

Youngsters are in for a shock when they return to the classroom, a schools chief has warned.

To comply with strict government safety guidelines, primary school head teachers are stripping out carpets, soft furnishings and toys. Communal pots of pens and pencils are outlawed and pupils must take their own. Their familiar surroundings will be replaced by stark classrooms with one chair to a desk. Debbie Wheeler, chief executive officer of the Island Learning Trust which runs two schools in Swale, said: “It will be very much a return to chalk and talk traditional teaching. It’s going to be a massive culture shock.” According to government advice, early years pupils, as well as reception, Year One and Year Six classes are due to return from Monday, before up to a quarter of Year 10 and Year 12s will be allowed ‘some contact’ from June 15 to prepare for exams.

Some school pupils in Kent could face a longer wait to return to the classroom as schools will need to open in phases, according to Alan Brookes of the Kent Association of Headteachers. Mr Brookes said: “There is no way that you can suddenly, on a given day, open all of the schools at the same time, it would cause tremendous difficulties in terms of social distancing. “Schools are very keen to play a part but safety has to be paramount. In order to open safely, we will have to open gradually, increasing the number of students little by little- certain year groups and parts of year groups seems to be a very sensible approach.” Meanwhile, Medway Council was unable to confirm how many schools will reopen, as most belong to academy trusts and do not fall under the control of the authority.

A spokesman said: “We are continuing to work with all schools. We have brought headteachers and representatives from all sectors together.”