Exciting new chapter brings fresh challenges
In her second special monthly feature Joanna Griffiths, headteacher of Alder Grange School & Sixth Form in Rawtenstall, lifts the lid on life in our classrooms as schools adapt to the challenges of new arrangements.
SEPTEMBER is always an exciting time for the new Year 7 intake at Alder Grange School – putting on a fresh uniform, waving goodbye at the school gates and arriving full of anticipation as they enter a new year and chapter of their life.
However, this September is a mixture of excitement and nervousness for all year groups, as our pupils return to school for the first time since lockdown was announced in March.
Of course, like the majority of schools in the UK, Alder Grange has made changes to adapt to government guidelines and social distancing rules. We’ve implemented year group bubbles, stopped large mixed year gatherings such as full-school assemblies, and zoned lessons and lunchtimes to minimise movement around the building.
We’re enforcing frequent hand sanitizing, and everyone is wearing masks whilst inside on corridors.
On the surface, this will seem daunting – even for our Year 11s who are already comfortable and established at the school.
As I said to pupils on the first day back – of course some things are different and this is to make sure everyone stays safe. But more importantly, lots of things are the same at Alder Grange.
Our ethos is unchanged, relationships between staff and pupils remain strong, and more than ever there’s a sense of teamwork and support; from all staff and from pupils in year 7 through to 13. The building is buzzing with activity, and I for one am glad to see the building filled with pupils again. The atmosphere at Alder Grange is positive and teaming with eager students, ready to get stuck into the school year and enjoying being back in the classroom.
We’ve agreed at Alder Grange that our priority is to ensure all our students, new and old, feel comfortable and safe being back at school, alongside a return to a broad and balanced curriculum.
Instead of focussing on and talking too much about ‘catch-up’ and work they may have missed out on whilst lockdown was enforced, our attention is focused on wellbeing.
Staff are helping students settle in and establish a routine first – I firmly believe that if children at Alder Grange are happy and safe in school, the learning will follow.
We are talking to pupils about being aware of the very different experiences of lockdown and worries about returning to school each of them have had.
We are seeing a full range of emotions – and we’re working hard to accommodate and support them all.
At the end of the day, the reason I get up in the morning is to work with our wonderful pupils and staff.