Oak View Academy head tells Granada TV why schools must be kept open during lockdown

Pupils and teachers at Oak View Academy were interviewed on Granada TV about keeping classrooms open during the second national lockdown.

Executive headteacher Fiona Whittaker believes that it is vital to keep schools open to avoid children suffering the detrimental educational and social consequences of being kept at home for long periods.

Teachers reported that some youngsters have struggled with anxiety, concentration and even with holding conversations since returning to lessons in September.

A Granada TV film crew visited Oak View Academy in Whitby's Lane to talk about the benefits of keeping schools open during lockdown

Ms Whittaker said the negative effects of the first three month lockdown are being sensitively handled at the school but she hopes it is not something they will have to deal with again.

Ms Whittaker said: "When the school reopened, the children’s concentration span was much shorter, some children struggled to have a conversation or play games, and some children’s mental health was affected and they came back really anxious.

"We've assessed where children have fallen behind and we are taking steps to make this ground back.

Fiona Whittaker, executive headteacher of Oak View Academy being interviewed by Granada TV reporter Amy Welch

"We've added extra PE lessons to the timetable, made other lessons shorter to help with concentration, and we've brought in many safety measures which are helping both staff and children to feel safe in this environment.

"Overwhelmingly, our children and our staff want to come into school, they say they feel safe here and everyone agrees that staying open is the right thing to do to support our community.

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"Of course, if we have any cases of Covid we will temporarily close the parts of school affected, and go back to learning from home. But while we can, we are determined to keep our doors open."

Children said they much prefer to be at school rather than at home.

One girl said on TV: "Lessons are fun."

Another pupil saide: "I don't like doing work at home, I'd rather do it at school."

One boy added: "I was very bored at home during lockdown because I couldn't see my friends."

Ms Whittaker said: "We're very proud of the children who were filmed for the piece about schools staying open. They did really well and shared their views clearly."

UK charity Mental Health Foundation have reported many children experienced loneliness during lockdown, were affected by a lack of physical contact with friends, families and peers, were frustrated by the loss of activities they had been used to taking part in.

Oak View is one of several schools across Cheshire and Shropshire, run by North West Academies Trust, working hard to reintegrate pupils and restore confidence.