The head teacher of St John’s Primary School in Wellington has paid tribute to pupils and parents for the ‘extraordinary’ way they have adapted to Covid-19 changes – six months after national lockdown was brought in.

Olly Priestley said it had been a ‘strange and challenging six months’ but added: “Whatever changes we have asked of our school community they have followed us and supported us. They have all been amazing.”

The school has had to come up with innovative ways to adapt, including running Zoom assemblies.

“I am tucked away in my office and the classes are all around laptops, socially distanced, and it’s a way of sharing some of the good things the kids are doing and still having a sense of community.”

Mr Priestley said the children had adapted quickly to being in ‘bubbles’, having separate play times and lunch times, and following a new one-way system to keep the children apart as much as possible.

The school is keen to show potential new parents – particularly those whose children will be starting school for the first time in September 2021 – how they are adapting to the ‘new normal’. 

But as mass open days are not possible they have come up with a new plan.

So on set days of the week, from 3.30pm to 5pm, the school will be organising individual tours of the school with the head teacher – one family at a time.

“We are proud of what we are doing here and while Covid-19 is making life a little difficult we are really keen to show people what can be achieved even in the most trying times,” said Mr Priestley.

Anyone interested in taking part in a tour – which will start next week – should call the school on 01823 662541.