HEADTEACHERS in Swindon have reflected on a year of huge challenges as they gear up for the next – the return of pupils to school on Monday morning.

Over the past 365 days, schools have been forced to close for months on end and children have had to learn remotely. Exams have been scrapped for two years running and mass testing has been introduced in recent weeks. 

It has been far from an easy ride, as Dorcan Academy headteacher Sherryl Bareham admits.

Looking back on the events of March 2020, she said: “We had to start thinking about how we were going to social distance the students, what we were going to do for break times, we ended up borrowing two marquees so our students could have their lunches there and stay in their bubbles. 

“Schools weren’t set up for remote learning at the start. We had to train staff, some students didn’t have laptops and the government was slow at the start to support them with that. 

"It was really difficult in the beginning.”

In the fortnight that followed the first Covid-19 case in the town, a number of schools sent year groups home because of cases, including Dorcan, Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, Kingsdown School and Lydiard Park Academy. 

Then, on March 23, the country went into lockdown. 

“In the first lockdown staff were delivering food parcels to children because the voucher scheme wasn’t in place,” said Ms Bareham. 

“The food packs had everything they needed for the week. Around 30 per cent of our 760 students are on free school meals and in the beginning, we were only giving them the parcels, but as time went on more people were suffering financially so we helped those families too.”

Schools were able to order £15 vouchers for children eligible for free school meals from March 31. 

But if it hadn't been for a campaign launched by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford these vouchers might not have been extended into the summer – just months before the second lockdown. 

This year hasn’t only been tough financially, it has taken its toll on children’s mental health too. 

Helga Maddock is the assistant headteacher for personalised learning and special educational needs and disabilities at Lawn Manor Academy.

She said: “Resilience is one of our core values and we are continually supporting pupils to develop this in all aspects of their academic and social lives at Lawn Manor Academy, so we started in a good place.

“We have been running wellbeing articles in the school newsletter on topics such as relaxation and breathing techniques, with links to local and national services and charities that support and promote good mental health. 

“On National Fitness Day Year 7 pupils took part in a ‘mindful mile’ where they were encouraged to consider the positive impact of fitness on good mental health whilst running.”

Headteacher of Lawn Manor Sandra Muir said: “The second lockdown saw more pupils attending school and they have focussed on joining their remote lessons with their teachers whilst working in their year group bubbles.

“Our staff team have been fantastic throughout the last year with volunteering for additional days on the rota to help other staff who have small children or partners working in the NHS, and parents were very supportive of children’s remote learning.

“They have also worked tirelessly to embrace new technology and ways of working so that in the most recent lockdown we were able to switch to remote learning immediately and fully on January 4.”

Secondary school students returning to school on Monday will take three Covid-19 tests as they go back to the classroom.

And Kingsdown School confirmed it has had no positive cases so far this year. 

“It has been a long year, it’s been a very demanding year which has relied on excellent teamwork,” said headteacher Emma Leigh-Bennett. 

“I think the teachers and students have been absolutely exemplary. Our children have shown maturity and resilience far beyond their chronological ages. Our teachers have taken championing on a new level at the school and they have worked tirelessly this past year.”