Returning to rhythms and routines of school

MELKSHAM Independent News caught up with Alan Henderson, principal of Melksham Oak Community School to find out how the students have been adjusting to reduced school hours and/or remote learning from home.

• What are the students who are back at school up to?  From 15th June, we have welcomed back the majority of our Year 10 and Year 12 students, who have benefitted from spending a day in school each week. To help these students readjust to the rhythms and routines of returning to school, we have created a bespoke programme for these days.

This programme includes one-to-one structured conversations between each student and a member of staff, and live interactive lessons, where subject specialists teach students remotely, but in real time. In addition, supporting students’ wellbeing – both physical and emotional – has been a key focus. Children of keyworkers continue to benefit from daily provision, including both academic and practical activities.

• Have the students at home got an interesting story to share?  Our students continue to impress with their creative responses to learning challenges. This includes a design and technology project to commemorate V.E. Day, such as the picture above.

• Is the school doing anything to support the community?  We are very mindful of Melksham Oak’s role within and responsibilities towards the community. This has taken many forms during lockdown, including staff making socially distanced visits to some family homes; loaning laptops to students who might otherwise be disadvantaged through lack of IT access; staff making regular donations to local food banks and assisting with the distribution of these donations. Thank you to those businesses and organisations who have offered time and resources to support our efforts.

• Does the school have any tips or suggestions to share with families who are juggling work with homeschooling?  As a school, we understand the difficulties of juggling home learning with work and other family commitments. We continue to encourage our students to establish a daily routine, which incorporates a healthy balance of school work and other activities such as regular exercise and time to relax.

 All Melksham Oak, students have ongoing access to remote learning activities shared by their usual teachers. This includes an increased use of live and recorded video lessons taught by subject teachers to support students’ online learning. Other resources to supplement the resources we provide are available, including daily lessons published on the BBC Bitesize website and those available via the Oak National Academy website.

 As always, our teaching team continue to be available via e-mail, if individual students or parents would like specific guidance or feedback.