Since full reopening of schools on March 8th, pupils at All Saints’ C of E Primary School in Ilkley have enjoyed three exciting wellbeing weeks to ease their reintegration back into full-time education.
Included in those three weeks was a book week, interactive Greek museum, medieval day, science activities, a Hindu dance workshop and virtual Easter performances.
Headteacher, Mrs Michele Robinson, said: “When the reopening of schools was announced, we immediately asked pupils in our School Council for their thoughts and feelings about returning to school. They all said that they mainly missed their friends and teachers, and asked school for more art, PE and creative learning alongside their peers – feelings very much shared by staff.
“We have kept our excellent pastoral curriculum at the heart of learning and physical and mental health at the forefront by reinstating familiar initiatives such as the daily mile and keeping extra curricular sports clubs going – so few of the pupils’ usual hobbies and interests are running as normal at the moment.
“For covid safety measures, we have had to become used to keeping many aspects of school separate, so we wanted to focus on reconnecting all pupils via shared experiences. Our themed book week based on ‘Lost and Found’, a beautiful picture book by Oliver Jeffers, acted as a launchpad to reignite a love of learning for all pupils.”
Jossie, a Year 4 pupil, said: “It’s been nice to have a change because remote learning was hard. I loved dressing up in black and white for the Lost and Found book week and having Year 6 children read a funny book to us via Teams.”
Thomas, a Year 3 pupil, said: “The Hindu dancing was really good fun. I’ve loved seeing my friends in my normal class since everyone’s been back at school.”
