This week, following an INSET (in-service training) Day across The Corinium Education Trust on Monday 1 June 2020, staff across our primary schools were delighted to welcome back some pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.

Throughout the period of lockdown pupils have had the opportunity to participate in remote learning and staff have been very creative in finding new ways to engage children in their classes, support and inspire them! They have also made provision in school for children of key workers and those who are vulnerable and this will continue.

Our headteachers and their teams worked hard following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Sunday 10 May 2020 that primary schools could reopen to certain year groups from Monday 1 June and, in line with the subsequent guidance, assessed risks and put robust plans in place. These were approved by our trustees and involved consultation with staff and their local governing bodies.

To ease the transition and inform their decisions, parents were provided with Frequently Asked Questions and teachers shared pictorial social stories and videos to help pupils understand how their classrooms and movement through each school would be different. Time on Monday 1 June was used wisely to transform the learning environment: ‘Classrooms have been sorted and decluttered, all children have their own work station with a tray of the necessary resources. Entrances have been marked and coned off with one way systems in place. The playground and field have been split into 7 zones and only 3 groups will be out at any one time.’ Karen Venner, Headteacher, Chesterton Primary School.

On Tuesday 2 June 2020, pupils returning to school joined others in their ‘bubble’ and learnt about the new routines and social distancing. Teachers were impressed by their conduct and how quickly they adjusted to the new regimes.

At the end of the day, Ms Tranter, Head of School, at Siddington C of E Primary School, reflected, ‘A great day at school. Everyone happy. Children loved being back. Parents very pleased.’ This sentiment was also echoed by Mrs Morrogh-Ryan, Headteacher Designate, at Kemble Primary School, ‘A really successful return to school today for pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6. The staff were very happy and the children were thrilled to be back.’ Furthermore, staff reported how sensible all the children from all year groups had been and they were very respectful of the social distancing measures.

Members of The Corinium Education Trust’s Leadership Group will be monitoring the provision and will be sharing their learning and best practice as Cirencester Deer Park School prepares to expand their provision to enable pupils in Year 10 to have some face to face contact with their teachers from Monday 15 June 2020.

Comments from pupils at Siddington CofE Primary School:

• Sienna and Jack in Reception: “I like sitting at my own desk and seeing my friends” and “The classroom is different but I like seeing everyone.”
• Emily and Edward in Year 1: “I like being at school again because I like learning new things” and “School is fun. I like seeing my friends.”
• Amy and Corin in Year 6: “I am enjoying seeing my friends face to face and seeing the teachers” and   “I like that we’re being taught by a proper professional teacher!”

Pupil at Chesterton Primary School: "It was lovely this morning when we came in you tried to make everything as normal as possible. You smiled at me which made me feel happy to be back at school."

 Parent at Chesterton Primary School: "Thank you for being calm this morning, you have sent out the right amount of information at the right time. It has made things easier for us as a family" and "The drop off went really smoothly this morning and thank you for thinking of how to keep everyone apart as much as possible."