Mixed emotions as our children return to school
YESTERDAY saw the first significant easing of coronavirus restrictions across England as schools began to welcome all pupils back to the classroom.
Apart from vulnerable children and those of keyworkers, pupils have been homeschooling since the end of the Christmas holidays. But now all schools and colleges in England have begun to reopen to all pupils. Some had all students back, while others are taking a staggered approach, particularly secondary schools, where testing is being carried out.
Your Grimsby Telegraph went to Oasis Academy Nunsthorpe to ask teachers, parents and children how they felt about heading back into school.
School principal Katie McGuire said: “We absolutely can’t wait to welcome them back it is going to be great to have the whole school community together again.
“I think the children will be looking forward to coming back and seeing their friends and their teachers again, we’ve certainly missed them.
“We’ve been preparing for reopening to make it as safe as possible for the children to be coming in to the different bubbles and we’re ready to help them get back into school and settled.”
At the gates there was a mixture of emotions from parents, some were relieved to be sending their children back, while others were still worried about the ongoing pandemic.
Tasmin, whose children Summer and Logan were heading back for their first day in school, said: “They were so excited getting ready but I’m a bit worried about all the covid stuff too.
“At the end of the day that is all we’re seeing on the news at the moment; it is a bit scary from the parent’s point of view.
“They want to see their friends and the teachers at school though, they need the school back in their lives.
“My boy was practically running out the door this morning he was looking forward to being in so much.”
Sarah, whose seven-year-old son Henry was also returning to the
school for the first time since before Christmas, said: “I’m nervous really but they do need the routine more than anything else. “He is a bit nervous too but all the children are looking forward to being back with their friends and everyone else at the school.
“I do worry about coronavirus still, I don’t think that will stop even with all the fantastic things that the school have put in place to make sure that it is as safe.” One parent who was inside the school early said: “I woke up at about 6am, it honestly felt like Christmas morning.
“I know it sounds a bit harsh to say but I have been looking forward to him going back in, we’ve really struggled when he’s been misbehaving. I think he needs the routine of school.”
Key Stage 2 teacher Mark Revell said: “I think there will be a few parents going back and putting
their feet up today, putting This Morning on or something like that and they deserve it.”
“It is absolutely lovely to welcome all the children back into school though, we’ve been looking forward to getting them all back into the classrooms.” Safeguarding manager Shanie Brown said: “It is the best feeling to be able to welcome them all home, that is what we feel it is for them - a bit of a second home that they’ve had to have time away from.
“It is going to be great to have the classes all back together again, I think a lot of them have been missing their friends and it is lovely to see them reunited.” One of the pupils at the school, Lola, 10, said: “I’m very excited to see my friends and the teachers and to be back in school because it has been a bit difficult trying to learn at home sometimes.
“It isn’t easy to get the answers to your questions when you’re on an iPad or something like that because the teachers can’t always get to you quickly but in class I can just put my hand up.
“It is going to be really good to be back.”
Mum Vicky said: “It has been a bit difficult with the home learning at times. I haven’t got all the answers to the questions she has and the teachers aren’t always available to help out.
“It is nice to know she’ll be going back in and will be getting the schooling she needs. I’m happy to see them all going back in.”