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THE SCOTSMAN Saturday 19 September 2020
there is less movement, and we are provided lunchbox meals so the pupils can take them into the grounds rather than all remaining in the dining hall.
We started our “landing programme” for our new boarders two weeks before term began to get them used to the new situation. We had a staggered return
for everybody, with video clips to show
instil a love and curiosity for learning are supported by a tech department developing digital literacy. Individual access to online lesson content continues, lowering concern for missed education while isolating; and some pupils are virtually present in lessons.
Plays would normally be performed in our theatre. Instead, one class produced a radio play remotely from makeshift home studios. It was recorded on smartphones and broadcast to the school, and by the BBC.
Piloting an alternative educational
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nurse has created an isolation room in the Sports Pavilion.
Sports clothing has been the school uniform initially, and families have been asked to wash this daily.
In any contingency, the school has plans in place to allow learning to continue. There are no changes to the curriculum, although some activities have been curtailed, for example, musical instrument tuition, choir, contact sports and swimming.
At lunchtime, food is served on compostable, disposable plates. We have also changed the queuing arrangements and all catering sta wear full PPE.
Sta and prefects are on hand to help pupils arriving in the morning; parents and carers are asked not to congregate in groups when collecting children. They also are asked to collect pupils at the correct time and should not enter the school buildings but communicate by e-mail or phone.
DR MICHAEL CARSLAW
them the new system. We have moved a lot more on to technology with pupils taking Chromebooks and the like from class to class rather than lots of books which eliminates the need for lockers. If any student is absent, they can access their learning remotely.
A couple of weeks before lockdown, we started running hybrid lessons with Google Classroom and an information system called ManageBac, so we were well prepared. Everyone has gone through a phenomenal upskilling in the use of technology.
We have been keeping the curriculum going as normally as possible, although contact sports are not possible and
the swimming pool isn’t open yet. Our community links, such as with Madras Rugby Club, are continuing. And we have had lots of virtual “coee meets” with parents – in fact I think we have ended up communicating more with parents and pupils than ever.
passport to examinations, our 13-year- old pupils undertook months-long research into an independent project of their choosing. Normally, they would put up an exhibition of their work in school. Instead, pupils learnt how to build a webpage from scratch to create the exhibition online.
Learning how to learn well enables students to meet new situations
with resilience, adaptability and resourcefulness; never overwhelmed, always stretched, such is their capacity for focused, self-directed activity.
ROD GRANT
HEADMASTER,
ST LEONARDS SCHOOL
HEADMASTER, CLIFTON HALL SCHOOL
MARITAL STATUS Married CHILDREN Three daughters aged 21, 24 and 27
MAIN SUBJECT Biology
We have introduced safe distancing, and the boys and girls are wearing face masks in corridors and communal areas. Pupils are temperature-checked on arrival, and we have plenty of hand- washing facilities and hand sanitiser.
There are more outdoor seating areas so classes can be held outside; we have six marquees for extra classroom space, and large polytunnels for sport and shelter. We also have yurts for drama and outdoor activities, and – as we are right by the sea – we are also using the beach for outdoor learning.
Most of our lessons are longer so
a business, while emphasising the importance of sourcing quality, local and organic ingredients. Our Friday Market is stalled.
The senior choir, timetabled each morning to waken the pupils, is abeyant.
The restrictions are an opportunity for inventiveness too. Our community of some 150 families feels the impact of parents remaining o campus. Virtual assemblies and a weekly e-zine hold this ainity.
Teachers’ eorts to deliver lessons virtually in ways that continue to
MARITAL STATUS Married CHILDREN Three step-children: Jessica, 35, Stephen, 33, Robyn, 24 and my own son, Amos, who is 13
MAIN SUBJECT Primary specialist with a degree in English
This has been a diicult time for children. Some might not have been too upset when the school first closed, but months without seeing many of their friends has been hard. After all this time, it’s understandable that children might be a little nervous about being back to school. The school counsellor is on hand for any individual child who is experiencing such anxiety.
Clifton Hall is following government guidelines to keep pupils and sta safe.
The school is being cleaned more often and hand sanitiser stations have been installed in every classroom. These spaces are well ventilated and the pupils are also having more outdoor learning.
Junior school children do not need to distance themselves from each other. In senior school, steps are in place to try to encourage children to physically distance as much as possible. Senior school pupils and all adults are wearing facemasks in corridors and communal areas.
A number of Clifton Hall sta have now been trained in Covid-19 First Aid measures and, in addition, the school
GEORGE WATSON’S COLLEGE
LOCATION EDINBURGH
NUMBER OF PUPILS 2,487
AGE RANGE 3!18
CO!ED, DAY PUPILS
QUALIFICATIONS NATIONAL 4 AND 5, HIGHERS, ADVANCED HIGHERS
At George Watson’s College we provide a world- class education for children and young people from preschool to S6. Our inventive teachers give our pupils the freedom to succeed, through an inspiring curriculum and an extensive, inclusive enrichment programme.
At Watson’s, everyone is challenged and supported to be the best they can, so they may be successful, compassionate citizens when it’s time to make their own way in life. We do this by living our values, even when nobody’s watching. They are: aim high, be kind, join in and respect all.
When it comes to our youngest, we believe
in adventures and so our new preschool is the place where discovery starts. Our new-look early years provision is now the main point of entry for
our Junior School. The stunning new Preschool classrooms are designed to create flexible, collaborative places to learn. Our new outdoor spaces are the perfect place for imagination to run free and for dreams to be formed. When it’s time to move on, we are committed to creating a clear pathway for children to move successfully into our Junior School.
Our Preschool, Junior and Senior pupils are all housed on the same campus which includes state- of-the art sports facilities, music school, art school, technology and engineering centre and drama studios. We provide leading IT facilities, including wifi for all, the latest technology and the opportunity for senior pupils to bring their own device.
There are a number of outdoor learning opportunities and educational visits, to both national and international destinations, as we enable pupils to seek new frontiers, cultures and experiences.
We also oer a number of bursaries, scholarships and financial assistance, and widening access to the school via our Family Foundation. www.gwc.org.uk/joinus