WITH schools set to reopen to all students from tomorrow (March 8), it is understandable that many may be viewing the step with a little apprehension or anxiety.

After months of complete lockdown, leaving home can feel worrying.

However, across Andover, schools have been working hard to prepare facilities for the return, ensuring both students and staff are safe, happy and catered for. They’ve also been getting systems in place for regular testing of students which will begin on their return.

The Advertiser spoke to one, to give people in Andover an idea of what covid-secure schools will look like.

At Rookwood School on Weyhill Road, headteacher Anthony Kirk-Burgess and his team have been preparing to welcome back all students.

Mr Kirk-Burgess said that, as well as safety measures, the school aims to focus on supporting pupils in transitioning back to classroom learning.

He said: “I have been very impressed by the exceptional quality of our online learning this year, which is a credit to all staff, pupils and parents, as well as our in-school provision for those children still attending; however, I am pleased that Rookwood School is able to reopen to all pupils from 8th March. This will allow us to directly support the pupils with their mental health, wellbeing and pastoral care before the Easter holidays. My priority is to now ensure that we reopen safely, in line with the latest Department for Education and scientific guidance.

“At the primary end of the school, there are very few changes and so these children can return to school as normal. In the Senior School, students will need to wear masks inside buildings, including lessons, and they will be tested twice a week for Covid-19. We are allowed to do the first test before the students return and so this was undertaken on Friday 5th March, with over 90 per cent of students tested that day. This uptake was really positive and shows that each individual student is serious about helping protect the wider school community.

“Whilst mask wearing is required in lessons inside, where possible we will teach outside or introduce ‘mask breaks’ so students can have some respite. Furthermore, especially at GCSE, we have very small class sizes, allowing us to space the students 2m from each other so that they do not have to wear masks in those lessons.”

  • Do you work at a school in the Andover area and want to share how you’ve been preparing for the return of pupils? Send us your pictures to newsdesk@andoveradvertiser.co.uk