School teachers are having to be flexible and resourceful during the closures due to the Coronavirus.

SCHOOLS up and down the country closed their doors to the majority of their students with just a couple of days’ notice.

It meant teachers had to rally around to put together home study packs, upload schemes of work online, make provisions for those entitled to free school meals, as well as teach students while still on site.

Now, teachers are having to find new ways to engage, communicate with and teach their students at home.

Louise Birke, associate headteacher at Burnt Mill Academy in Harlow, said: “The collective effort and support of the whole Burnt Mill community has been amazing. The speed at which our team got everything prepared for the closure was phenomenal.

“Everyone is having to be flexible and adaptable as the guidance from the government is changing daily and nobody knows how long the shutdown will last for. We are having to respond to changes on a daily basis and make the very best out of the situation that we can.

“A particular focus is being put on Year 10 who will be sitting the bulk of their exams next year. They are being set English, maths and science tasks to be handed in to their teachers weekly and their engagement is being monitored.

“Our teachers are doing lots of curriculum planning to ensure all students are getting a really good provision. The whole school has been set work to complete at home until the Easter break.

“Our students really want to learn and that is testament to the teachers we have.”

Although Year 11 will not sit their summer exams as planned, they have been sent home with revision resources to ensure they keep learning during the closure.

Since the school closures due to the Coronavirus, between 7 and 15 students whose parents are key workers have been attending the Burnt Mill each day.

They have been working with up to six staff – on a rota – on English, maths, science and PE lessons.