A virtual visit to The National Archives in London, drama sessions with a local theatre school and live cooking sessions have ensured remote learning has been far from boring.

Teachers at Yanwath have worked tirelessly to provide pupils with a fun, engaging and well-structured remote learning experience during this third national lockdown.

The emphasis has been on delivering a full and varied curriculum to all pupils. The staff have adapted to technology to ensure that the needs of all children are met.

With multiple live daily sessions as well as pre-recorded ones for nursery and reception children, the staff have worked hard to ensure no child is left behind and they take part in as much live interaction as possible.

Throughout remote learning, pupils have had the opportunity to take part in extra-curricular activities, such as virtual history visits to The National Archives, theatre school drama sessions, learning science through a virtual visit from Zoobidoo and live cooking sessions with a healthy eating company.

Mrs Floyd said: “The aim for the staff at Yanwath was to deliver a remote learning curriculum that matches the quality of what our children receive in school and we believe this is what we have done.

The mental health and well-being of every member of the Yanwath community has also been at the forefront throughout the pandemic.

The school has designated Mental Health Champions who have completed a foundation programme to help them gain a deeper understanding of mental health. They support pupils, staff and parents as they navigate the transition back to school and beyond.

Each half term the school hosts ‘well-being days’ in which children are taken away from the curriculum and staff facilitate activities to support mental health and mindfulness. Staff also help the children to develop strategies for dealing with their own mental health, understand how to be more mindful, both in school and at home, and to think about their wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.

To support families during lockdown, the school has hosted a weekly story time session delivered live on its Instagram page. We have also pioneered ‘Press Pause Days’, which are designed to relieve the pressure of home schooling from our pupils and their parents.