North Northamptonshire parents praise teaching and school staff who have helped their children during latest lockdown

Parents from across north Northamptonshire have been thanking special school staff who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to make home-schooling a manageable experience.
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It goes without saying that there are many school staff members who work together simultaneously to make home-schooling possible.

We know it’s not just teachers but school leaders, teaching assistants and the support staff who all get the cogs working behind the scenes and make lockdown schooling a more enjoyable experience for children in Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby and East Northamptonshire, since they were plunged into a third lockdown on January 4.

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It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today (February 22) reveal his four step roadmap out of England’s lockdown.

Kettering student, Rocco, is pictured working from home during the third pandemic.Kettering student, Rocco, is pictured working from home during the third pandemic.
Kettering student, Rocco, is pictured working from home during the third pandemic.

School kids in England are expected to be able to return to their desks from 8 March, with outdoor after school sports and activities also allowed.

We asked parents in the area about their children’s home-schooling experience and if they wanted to share a message of thanks to the special staff members making an impact on their child’s education in the most difficult of circumstances – here’s what they had to say.

Pippa Stevenson said:” Just a shout out to everyone from Exeter School and nursery you did an amazing job keeping all the kids safe before lockdown on all occasions and you’ve done amazing with parents with kids in lockdown. Shout out to Mrs Lucy Gotch who teaches my son in year 2 - I can’t wait for his return. Stay safe everyone there, including teaching staff, cleaners, dinner ladies and, of course, Nicky the caretaker.”

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Stacy McCulloch said: “I want to say a special thank you to Mrs Rose at Studfall Junior and Infant Academy, she has gone above and beyond to make sure my daughter could access some work. Studfall have been amazing, I’m so glad my child is a part of the Studfall family.”

Ayla pictured with her headphones on hard at work from home.Ayla pictured with her headphones on hard at work from home.
Ayla pictured with her headphones on hard at work from home.

Kelly Herbert added: “I want to say a very special thank you to Mr Bennett, Miss Marley and all the staff at Millbrook Infant School, with special thanks to those in year 1. You are under such immense pressure to care for key worker children as well as providing resources and live lessons remotely for those at home. Your hard work, resilience and adaptability have not gone unnoticed and we thank you for everything you are doing for the education sector and continuing to keep things as normal as possible for our children.”

Lauren Tosh said: “A special thank you to Mrs Esselmont who has been a saviour to me over the last few weeks she is my sons year 1 teacher at Exeter a learning community in Corby! Literally only a message away and she calls me to guide me with anything that’s occurred, she always goes above and beyond. Thank you.”

Teresa Marie commented: “I’d like so say how great Kettering Science Academy have been since Covid began and how supportive they have been regarding a high risk parent and grandparent. I’m very grateful.”

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Vicki Richardson wanted to cheer on Pytchley School, especially Mrs Ellingworth and Mrs Watts. She said: The resources are 10/10, the support is 10/10. Teachers have even dropped certificates and prizes home, safely, to reward outstanding work. The online classroom sessions have allowed group discussions, there is regular contact with all children, they have regular assemblies to recognise everyone’s hard work, have quizzes for the whole school to interact, every week supplying children and adults with news and information while still recognising birthdays. I was overwhelmed over how well they are doing trying to keep things as normal and close knitted as they can be. It’s very important with all the change. Massive shout out to all the teachers and children for working so hard and doing a grand job.”

Tinamarie Jones said: “My old friends at Isebrook SEN College, you all do a fantastic job.”

Cherri-lee van der Vyver added: “Well done teachers, you’re doing a great job! However, I think the admin staff have always been massively overlooked during the last year. I think they deserve a lot more recognition, given that the adjustments wouldn’t be possible without them, they do an excellent job. Don’t under estimate what they do for the schools in supporting the staff and children, they are just as important.”