Tonge Moor Primary School unveils its first class plan to welcome all children back

Like schools across the country, it will be opening its gates to all children on March 8.

The school has organised a special week to ease and inspire youngsters back into learning in a classroom setting ­- while keeping them and the staff safe during the pandemic.

The school has been educating around 140 children a day during lockdown, who are classed as children of critical workers or vulnerable.

(Tonge Moor Primary School pupils learning in class)

Headteacher Nicola Whittaker said: “Our staff are unanimously delighted to welcome back all of our children who have been at home during this period of lockdown.

“Although we have been making weekly welfare calls to those children who have had to ‘stay at home’ and seen many of them in our remote online live lessons, we have really missed having them in school.

“It is so important to us that the children are able to quickly catch up on any lost learning but in order for this to be possible we must ensure that, as always, we support children’s emotional wellbeing. We have planned to start this with a theme-week focus ­- ‘Dream big’ ­- to ensure everybody starts back at school with a positive outlook," she added.

“We took a similar approach in September which was really successful, using the book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, by Charlie Mackesy.”

The school has in place a “recovery curriculum action plan” to make sure no pupil is left behind because of the pandemic.

This is to ensure, says Mrs Whittaker, “that lost learning is tailored to the bespoke needs of each child ensuring that learning gaps are addressed with appropriate intervention, which takes many forms and utilises a range of high-quality resources and teaching techniques.”

The school is now part of the St Bede Multi Academy Trust (MAT), which governs the outstanding St Bede’s CE Academy in Morris Green.

Mrs Whittaker moved to reassure parents that safety was a top priority.

(Tonge Moor School puts the fun into learning)

Mrs Whittaker said: “The directors of the St Bede Multi Academy Trust have always maintained that they make all decisions with health and safety as the highest priority.

“Throughout the pandemic, the MAT senior leaders have been rigorous in ensuring that safety measures are continually reviewed taking into account recommendations made by SAGE, Local Public Health experts and the guidance from the Department for Education ensuring that school is as Covid-secure as possible.

“ In fact, we have been told by Track and Trace that our Covid-19 risk assessment systems are very strong.

“We publish updates to our risk assessments on our school website to ensure that our community is able to view and comment on what is in place to keep our children, staff and wider community safe.”

Measures in place include everyone practising good hand and respiratory hygiene with regular sanitising breaks.

Sanitising stations are at each building entrance, and doors and windows are open to ensure good air circulation.

Social distancing is encouraged and class bubbles have been formed.

Adults wear face coverings in communal areas and take part in twice-a-week lateral flow ­- quick fire ­- Covid testing.

Cleaning is done at regular intervals throughout the school day and staff are aware of possible symptoms of covid.

Mrs Whittaker said: “Being vigilant with these measures has been very successful and up to this point we have had no bubble closures since the autumn term.”

She added: “The support of our parents and carers has been tremendous and we have received many positive and kind messages.

“The partnership between home and school has been more important than ever and staff have made weekly welfare calls to all those families who have been educated at home to offer support, advice and encouragement.

“Our parents have been dedicated to their children and I have written to them to personally thank each one and let them know that whatever they are doing it is enough and we are grateful for everything they have been doing to support their children’s learning at home.”

She added: “I would like to extend my thanks to our supportive school community and give absolute reassurance that we are ready to welcome all of our children back to school and some sense of relative normality in this most unusual of times.”

Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Anne Galloway has thanked teachers and school staff for all they have done during lockdown.
She said: “Schools across Bolton have remained open throughout the pandemic for vulnerable pupils and the children of critical workers.
“Staff and teachers have done an incredible job supporting pupils learning from home – but the classroom is the best place for their educational and social development.
“I’m sure many families will join me in welcoming any move that will allow more pupils to return to school safely with sensible precautions in place.”