STUDENTS were welcomed back to the classroom this week across Somerset, after Covid-19 restrictions around schooling were eased. From Monday (March 8), pupils were allowed to go back to school every day, but there must be regular testing and mask wearing to keep them and their families safe. Jeremy Handscombe, executive headteacher at Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School in Taunton, said they were “so excited” to welcome the children back. “We’re really proud of the engagement from children and the support from parents at home over the last two months, but there’s nothing like being back at school,” he said.
STAFF at Taunton s Priorswood Primary School - part of The Redstart Learning Partnership - are determined to keep their pupils engaged in their learning during the national lockdown. The school has been looking at different ways to entertain, motivate and encourage the children to stay busy and active. One of Priorswood s popular initiatives has been arranged by Ellie Cullen, who has been setting PE and forest school challenges each week using the online dojo app, which connects teachers, students and parents and allows them to communicate with one another. Fun activities provided by Priorswood Primary School During the first week of this term, the school looked at Andy Goldsworthy, a British sculptor, photographer and environmentalist who inspired art for forest school and last week they created their own stickmen inspired by the Julia Donaldson s story Stickman.