‘Some children have high levels of anxiety about coming to school’
The coronavirus pandemic has led to a disruption of schooling unseen in living memory. Education editor Abbie Wightwick reports on how headteachers are trying to make schools safe for pupils as they strive for some sort of normality
HEADTEACHERS have moved to reassure pupils and parents worried about school during the pandemic that they are open safely.
Rebecca Barker, headteacher of Trallwn Primary School, the first school in Swansea to report a confirmed case of Covid-19, said procedures were followed and they have not had a case since.
Rebecca acknowledged that some children are very anxious coming to school but said she and her staff are helping them to feel safer.
“Some children have got high levels of anxiety about coming to school. Some of those are worried someone in their family will catch it and die.
“So we put in transition plans to help them come in. This includes the children being met by staff or coming in a bit later when it’s not so busy. That helps them feel safe.
“We are also working with education welfare officers who speak to families. Some parents have high levels of anxiety about sending their children in.”
Although the Welsh Government has suspended penalties for not sending children to school, Rebecca said attendance is still compulsory.
“We take a supportive approach to ease anxiety.
“We want to support them as best we can. Attendance is compulsory but there are no penalties for not attending.”
Safety procedures to reduce risk of infection include frequent handwashing, hand-sanitising, social distancing and PPE.
With Covid in the community the school, like many others, did have one isolated case. Rebecca said the safety process swung into action as soon as she was told a pupil had tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, September 13.
A total of 54 pupils in the school’s Year 1 and reception classes, as well as eight staff, were asked to self-isolate as a result.
The part of the school
they used was thoroughly cleaned and the classrooms locked and only reopened when they returned.
“We were the first Swansea school to have a confirmed case of coronavirus. Our procedures meant we could identify who that pupil had been with within minutes and we have had no other cases since.
“We were contacted on a Sunday to say a pupil had tested positive. Contact group details had to be made and letters were sent by Test Track and Trace.
“We also got in contact with all other parents concerned to reassure them the case had not been in contact with their children. We also spoke to staff.
“We also needed to say which staff and pupils were in contact 48 hours prior to the pupil testing positive.
“It’s about being on top of timetables and staffing. It also means extra cleaning.
“The classroom where the pupil had been was cleaned and locked. We have not had another case since.”
To help keep worries at bay it is important to explain clearly to children what is happening and why, but also not to brood about Covid-19 endlessly.
“Our children have to understand it, at an ageappropriate level, to feel safe. The children are very good at adapting to new norms. It is amazing.
“It’s about being proportionate. Some people have become very poorly and some have died, but those are very few and we are working hard to keep people safe.
“We tell them that if we follow the rules and distance it will keep them safe and infection is unlikely. We try to keep things as normal as possible by carrying on the curriculum.”
This year it has been more important than ever to keep an eye on mental health.
The school ran a variety of activities to mark World Mental Health Day.
“As a headteacher, it’s so important to recognise how we can all support each other’s wellbeing, that of our pupils and our families, and of course our own.
“Part of our vision is to prepare the children for anything in life and it’s important to build resilience and tools to deal with emotions.
“Children can’t learn if they don’t feel mentally healthy and safe.”