Teddies to make lockdown bearable
Town End Academy has purchased a teddy bear for every pupil at the school as part of a focus on children’s mental health during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Every pupil at the school has received a bear and a poem as a reminder that staff at Town End Academy are still thinking of them despite the current coronavirus lockdown.
The school, on Borodin Avenue, was recognised by Ofsted last year for the personal development of children.
Mental health issues have been a weekly focus during remote learning.
Nichola Fullard, the headteacher at Town End Academy, said that the bears will have a big role to play until the pupils return to school.
Mrs Fullard said: “Mental health work is a huge strength at Town End Academy and was recognised by Ofsted last year who said our schools personal development of children was outstanding.
"As part of the Mental Health Week, we shared lots of activities to focus on mental health including exercise, kind gestures and dressing up in colourful clothes and we also decided to buy every child a bear.”
She added: “The bears have been given to every boy and girl to give them a huge hug from us all in school and to let them know we are thinking about them and can’t wait until we are all back together again.
“They are also a reward for their amazing effort and work with their home learning where we have around 90% of the school engaging every day.
"The bears are to be their friend, be someone to talk to and read with, but most of all to hug, love and keep them safe until we are back at school.”
Nichola also heaped praise on the staff at the school, not only for getting behind the teddy bears initiative but also for their work throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
She added: “Staff in school always give 110% to our pupils and were more than happy to deliver the bears locally and further afield.
”When the delivery day came, it was a wet and gloomy day, but staff went out with smiles and hats, thrilled to be bringing a little bit of happiness to our pupils.”