'It's wonderful to be back together again'- Smiles all round as Worksop youngsters return to school

The week began on a high note for Worksop pupils who were reunited with friends and teachers as they returned to school after lockdown.
Pupils at Worksop College are finally reunited with friends after nearly three months apart.Pupils at Worksop College are finally reunited with friends after nearly three months apart.
Pupils at Worksop College are finally reunited with friends after nearly three months apart.

It has been a difficult and confusing time for the town’s youngsters- most of whom have been separated from their classmates for nearly three months due to the ongoing pandemic.

But yesterday (Monday, March 8) the excitement across Worksop was palpable as hundreds of pupils flocked back to primary and secondary schools to continue their learning journey.

Dr Dave Cavill, principal at Outwood Academy Valley, praised the ‘exemplary’ behaviour of pupils as they returned to classrooms.

“It's been a brilliant start to the week as we have been welcoming students back into the academy,” he said.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to all the academy community for the patience shown throughout this process and for the support we've been fortunate to receive as we have been implementing safety measures and ensuring that we follow all the guidance in the build-up to today.”

Headteacher at Norbirdge Academy, George Huthart, said he was ‘delighted’ to welcome the children back to school and see their ‘excitement’ at returning to see friends and teachers.

“As a school we are extremely proud of how children, teachers and families adapted to home learning,” he said.

"But we are now looking forward to being able to deliver our exciting curriculum in the classroom."

David Thorpe, headmaster at Ranby House school, spoke out in the past about how lockdown affects the social and emotional development of young children.

He pointed out that pupils aged four and five have spent nearly a quarter of their lives under lockdown, with social events axed and the opportunity to interact freely with other children put on hold.

Welcoming pupils back yesterday, he said: “A day of reconnecting with classmates and fun challenges to help us settle back in to school - wonderful to have our community back together again.”

Dr John Price, headteacher at Worksop College, said: “How wonderful to welcome our pupils back.

“We’re looking forward to a happy, healthy and successful rest of the year together.”

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