All smiles as children finally return to school
THERE were plenty of smiles in schools across Greater Manchester as pupils were reunited with their friends and teachers yesterday.
At Manor Green Primary Academy in Denton, families and staff were pleased to see life return to something a little more like normal.
Reception teacher Rachel Roebuck said: “This is what we want, it’s why we’re in the profession, we want the children back in the classroom.
“It has been challenging. Obviously our parents aren’t qualified teachers, and they want what’s best for their children, but trying to teach parents to be teachers is a difficult task.
“Children learn so much through play and I think it has been hard for parents to see that kind of thing taking place.”
The chance to play games with schoolmates at last was quickly taken up, as the sound of laughter filled Manor Green’s otherwise quiet corridors.
Like most primaries, children are being kept in their class bubbles as one way to keep safe during the pandemic, rather than mixing with others elsewhere in the school.
Year six pupil Alfie Darnbrough, 10, said: “I’m happy to see all my friends so we can learn things. We can play more, I’m very happy. I feel like it’s much easier when we’ve got a teacher to help us out.
“I hadn’t seen my friends in ages. It has been a few months, and when you don’t see your friends it’s a bit lonely, so I’ve been excited.” Youngsters were dropped off at staggered start times, while a one-way system and hand sanitiser is in place to keep children safe.
Mum-of-two Louisa Bancroft said: “Last night I was really excited, the uniforms were done, everything was done - but last night in bed I started to feel a bit anxious and I didn’t understand why.
“It’s quite a big thing - we’ve gone from our bubble, just us at home knowing they are safe and well, to then sending them back in.
“That weighed on my mind a bit, but when I saw their faces this morning I thought, ‘it has got to be done.’ They got up with the biggest smiles on their faces today.”
At secondary schools, staff have had to prepare regular Covid-19 testing, while pupils are wearing face masks to protect one another. Neither are compulsory and need parental consent but both are being ‘strongly recommended’ by government.
Youngsters at Buile Hill Academy in Salford - part of Consilium Academies - are set for three rounds of testing in school before moving to home testing.
Year seven pupil Jake Hope, 12, said: “I don’t mind the face masks, I’m used to it. I was a bit nervous before I did the test but once I had done it, I was fine.”
The academy had been teaching more than 70 pupils in classrooms during lockdown as vulnerable students and children of key workers were allowed in - but there are now 788 pupils learning at the school.
Covid testing began last Thursday and Friday.