Quiet streets during the Coronavirus lockdown in Dereham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2020
This time last year, the country was facing its first national Coronavirus lockdown. Reporter ABIGAIL NICHOLSON explores how one Norfolk town came together and fought through the pandemic one year on.
A queue for Morrisons during the first Coronavirus lockdown in Dereham. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2020
It s safe to say, many of us were naive in how long we thought the pandemic would last this time last year.
But after announcing the country was heading into a national lockdown, residents in Dereham pulled together to support each other in a way that hadn t been seen before.
Chris Read, interim headteacher of The Bishop’s CE Primary Academy in Thetford.
- Credit: DNEAT
Like all primary schools, all 419 of Bishop’s Primary pupils will be back in face-to-face lessons on Monday after weeks of homeschooling.
“We have worked hard to support families with home learning and know how hard parents have worked to help their children to make progress,” said Mr Read.
“The experience of the last year will allow us to get the balance right between responding to the children’s emotional needs and helping fill the most significant gaps in their learning.
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Chris Read, interim headteacher of The Bishop’s CE Primary Academy in Thetford.
- Credit: DNEAT
Like all primary schools, all 419 of Bishop’s Primary pupils will be back in face-to-face lessons on Monday after weeks of homeschooling.
“We have worked hard to support families with home learning and know how hard parents have worked to help their children to make progress,” said Mr Read.
“The experience of the last year will allow us to get the balance right between responding to the children’s emotional needs and helping fill the most significant gaps in their learning.
You may also want to watch:
Several primary schools in Norfolk have revealed they will not be reopening on January 4.
- Credit: PA
A growing number of primary schools have confirmed they will not be reopening their doors to pupils on Monday in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The move came after the National Education Union (NEU), which represents the majority of teachers, has called for all English primary schools to move online and advised its members it is not safe to return to classrooms on Monday.
Norfolk County Council said it is up to the individual school to decide whether pupils will be returning on Monday and insisted parents should check school communications to see if their school will be open.
Colman Junior School. Photo: Google
- Credit: Archant
A rapidly growing number of Norfolk primary schools will not be reopening after the Christmas break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A government announcement on December 30 amid rising Covid-19 rates meant that secondary school pupils and college students in Norfolk - and across the county - would undergo a phased return to school.
All primary schools had been expected to reopen on Monday (January 4) but scores of schools in Norfolk will not be opening their doors to pupils tomorrow amid concern about rising coronavirus figures.
The move came after the National Education Union (NEU), which represents the majority of teachers, has called for all English primary schools to move online and advised its members it is not safe to return to classrooms on Monday.