Covid testing times as thousands go back to school

Hallways and classrooms across Tameside were once again filled with the sound of students on Monday as thousands of young people went back to school.

Following nine weeks of home-schooling and online lessons, children are back on site, albeit with Covid precautions.

Students will now be tested weekly, first in school before being given tests to complete themselves at home.

At All Saints Catholic College in Dukinfield, students will take a test before returning to school, then another two during the first weeks back. They will then be given home tests to take to help protect themselves, their classmates and their families.

It’s all to help control the spread of the virus and get schools back to normal as soon as possible.

Gus Diamond, headteacher at All Saints Catholic College, says a lot of work has gone into making the school ‘Covid secure’ over the past year.

“We’ve put a lot of planning into this. The guidance came from DFE and the Government over the Christmas period. We’ve trained around 10-12 staff on how to administer the tests, that took about two hours each. There was an awful lot of preparation into that,” he said.

“We’ve done quite a lot of testing in school already.

“Now we plan to welcome back the rest of our family, so we’ve spent the last few weeks putting together the plan once the Prime Minister announced the re-opening of schools.

“We’ve put it together, sent that out to parents and last week we tested all of Year 11.

“We’ll test most of the school this week to welcome almost everyone back on Wednesday (yesterday).”

If a child tests positive, they will have to self isolate along with their close contacts.

The Covid testing 'site' at All Saints. Photo: Anthony Devlin. 

It’s been a challenging couple of months for teachers, who have had to continue to deliver their usual lessons using the power of the internet. 

Gus said that while he was full of praise for the students and teachers who had continued to learn and teach online, he was looking forward to classrooms once again being full.

“I think everyone is really looking forward to seeing the children back and welcoming our family back,” he said.

“All the staff I’ve spoken too are really excited to see the children back. Yes, we’ve been open all the way through lockdown for a small number of children, but the function of a school is to teach children in it.

Some of the Covid measures in place at All Saints. Photo: Anthony Devlin.

“We really can’t wait to see them get back to learning, get back to progressing and get the children back to where they need to be.

“All of them have been fantastic. The uptake of online lessons has been amazing, we’ve hit about 96 per cent of children accessing remote lessons, so it’s a big well done to all of them for doing that. 

“A massive well done also to the parents who are not only juggling their own jobs, but are teaching as well. I know from friends, who are actual teachers who are trying to home educate their children, how challenging that is.”

It is a sentiment that is echoed across Tameside at Copley Academy. They welcomed back their first two year groups this week, with Years 7 and 11 back on the premises.

As with all schools, Copley have put plenty of work in to keep both teachers and students safe. 

Students have to wear masks when in lessons (unless exempt) and teachers have to keep two metres from students at all times during lessons.

It’s an unusual way to teach but new vice principal Carl Heatley says he can’t help but be delighted with having children back in school.

“We’re really looking forward to having students back in lessons, back where they belong,” he said.

“As part of the new leadership team from September we’ve put in a lot of provision to be Covid safe. We’re able to provide the real education that our students deserve.”

At Copley, years are split up into bubbles with Years 7 and 11 forming one, Years 8 and 9 another and Year 10 on their own.

Each ‘bubble’ will have separate break and lunch times, with one way routes and specific classrooms designated throughout the school.

A one-way system in place. Photo: Anthony Devlin. 

Last week it was reported that the government were looking at longer schools days and shorter holidays, but Carl believes that a more nuanced approach should be taken.

“I don’t think it’s the responsibility of the students to catch up,” he said.

“I’m not quite sure that is the correct phrasing for it because who are they catching up with? They’re catching up with their peers. What is our responsibility is that any gaps in knowledge are filled and our students are still able to come back in and continue with the curriculum they’re provided.

“Our students have had a full provision of lessons in this lockdown so they’ve had a full timetable with staff. They’ve been following the curriculum anyway, so for us it’s just about getting them in and making sure they can continue.

“Our students have been amazing, we’ve had so much interaction and so much engagement.

“The trust has been brilliant in providing laptops, our parents have been supportive, so it’s just like stepping back, our students haven’t missed out, it’s just been different.”

A student at Copley Academy wearing a face covering in the classroom. Photo: Anthony Devlin. 

The school has also worked hard to support the most vulnerable of their cohort through the lockdown, with food parcels and home visits for struggling families.

“Our staff have been absolutely amazing in terms of supporting our students,” he added.

“We’ve provided food parcels to those families that need vouchers, our canteen staff have been sending food parcels home, we’ve done home visits. 

“We have been open through the full pandemic and we’ve put provisions on for all our students in terms of support and the feedback from families has been fantastic. They’re so supportive of us at Copley Academy through what’s been a really difficult time.”

Of course, those that were most looking forward to the return were the students, who have missed out on seeing their friends for months.

A warm welcome back for pupils at Copley Academy. Photo: Anthony Devlin. 

Year 7 students Noah Yates-Young said it was difficult to work from home. 

He said: “I found it quite difficult because we’ve had to do most of it online and some people have struggled. I haven’t had that many electronics, so it’s been hard. I’ve had to use a laptop and some lessons I haven’t been able to join. It’s been quite hard. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing all my friends. It’s going to be a bit weird because we’ve all got different hair cuts, but it’ll be good.”

Meanwhile Year 11 student Leah Martin said it will be much easier to concentrate in the classroom. 

She said: “It’s been quite difficult because it’s hard to keep motivated to do all the work and make sure that it’s right and good enough.

“It’s definitely better than working at home. It’s stressful as well, but better than at home.”

Inspire Academy, Ashton - part of Victorious Academies Trust - welcomed all of their pupils back on Monday. 

Inspire Academy Principal Louise Byrne and Deputy Principal Rebecca Booth

On the approach to school were rainbow balloon displays, a red carpet and a banner with the message ‘Filled with hope and back where we belong’.

“We are so happy to see all of our pupils back at school; we know how much they’ve missed it. It was lovely to see how happy they were to be back!” said principal Mrs Byrne.

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