Connah's Quay High School staff and students on education in a pandemic

Schools had already undergone massive change for the safe return of their students back in September, and then adapted further on little notice to remote learning.

We have been catching up with a few schools across the region to get an insight into how things are for those experiencing an entire new way of teaching and learning.

DID YOU MISS? Check out our School Voices Q&As with Alun School, Mold or Ysgol Clywedog, Wrexham.

If your school would like to take part, please email claire.pierce@newsquest.co.uk for details.

Today we check in with some staff and students at Connah's Quay High School.

• Amanda Harrison - Headteacher

What have been the biggest challenges?

Upskilling ourselves to deliver on line lessons as it is a completely different way of teaching. It has been a very steep learning curve and has involved staff working really hard to become very proficient in IT and adapting the way they plan and teach lessons.

What, if anything, do you miss?

The normal 'buzz' of a busy school and the interaction with staff and pupils

Have there been any surprising positives?

The learners have been amazing and have acted so maturely and responsibly. There has also been an increased climate of care and looking after each other which has been heart-warming to be part of.

Any thoughts on the direction of teaching in the future?

I think all the skills that teachers have learnt over the past few months will mean that education will become far more focused on the use of technology and blended learning.

Anything else you would like to share?

Just to thank the staff at the school and all of our community. The support has been amazing and people have worked so hard to make this happen and to ensure that our learners are looked after as best as we could. They are unsung heroes in my eyes!

Recommended lockdown read or watch:

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.

• Poppy Floyd, 12, Year 7

What have been the biggest challenges?

Lack of motivation. Making sure that all my equipment is charged, for example my iPad.

What, if anything, do you miss?

I miss seeing my friends and working with friends in groups. I miss certain lessons, such as PE, even though it is on the timetable, it isn't the same as in school.

Have there been any surprising positives?

Having a longer lunchtime. I have enjoyed the science live lessons and I didn't really like science in school but like it now.

How do you think things will be different in the future at school?

I think at first all years will be staggered into school. Social distancing and wearing masks still when school reopens. Maybe still be doing live lessons some days

Anything else you would like to share?

Having two teachers at each live lesson and being able to use the chat bar if needed to ask for help.

Recommended lockdown read or watch:

A TV series would be Stranger Things on Netflix, a good book is Paradise Island and a film would be Enola Holmes, this film is about solving a mystery.

• Emily Casselden, 15, Year 11

What have been the biggest challenges?

Adjusting to the non face-to-face learning.

What, if anything, do you miss?

The social side to school, as over the phone is not the same.

Have there been any surprising positives?

I have seen I've become more confident with answering questions because I don't have the fear of getting it wrong.

Any thoughts on the direction of teaching in the future?

The use of technology will improve and expand in school time.

Recommended lockdown read or watch:

Divergent and a lockdown read would be Twilight.

• Catrin Davies, Curriculum Leader for Science

What have been the biggest challenges?

Adapting to the new way of working and the ever evolving new skills in terms of technology has been a huge challenge for many teachers. Teachers have had to upskill significantly in a short space of time to cope with the increasing demand with regards to virtual learning. This has been a huge shift from the norm of face to face teaching that we are all familiar with.

What, if anything, do you miss?

Face-to-face interactions with the learners. Although we carry out live lessons within science, you can't compare this with the instant verbal feedback you would receive from learners within a face to face taught lesson. Teacher/pupil rapport is a huge part of a successful lesson, unfortunately this rapport and relationship is not as evident when conducting lessons via an online platform.

Have there been any surprising positives?

The engagement within live lessons has been incredibly positive for us at Connah's Quay High School. The learners have surpassed themselves with regards to their commitment to continue to make progress within their education.

Any thoughts on the direction of teaching in the future?

Areas of learning will ultimately shift to a more electronic platform following on from this period of remote learning. It does lend itself to certain activities such as homework or if learners have periods of prolonged absences from school.

Recommended lockdown read or watch:

Books - I can recommend books by Lisa Jewell. You and Then She Was Gone are particularly good read. Good series – Life BBC One.

• Aoife Wilson-Davis, 13, Year 9

What have been the biggest challenges?

One of the biggest challenges has definitely been getting motivated to do school work, it is also harder to share ideas like we do in the class. When doing live lessons there is a chat room but it is not the same.

What, if anything, do you miss?

The social interaction part of school, seeing my friends and being around people. Nothing can replace the atmosphere of school. It is especially hard when you are learning behind a computer screen for most of the day.

Have there been any surprising positives?

Yes I suppose, it has really helped me realise how important it is to plan and organise my day each morning when online learning. You can also have a bit of a longer lie in, in the morning which is good.

How do you think things will be different in the future at school?

The skills we have learnt for example; organising, prioritising and technology dexterity will help us when it comes to exams, and if a person outside of school was to teach a lesson they could do it virtually instead of coming all this way.

I think that homework will now be done mostly if not always online, this will not only be easier to organise but we will also be helping the environment with less paper wastage.

Not to mention that the students who need extra help can now gain it through online resources. Online lessons will not replace teachers yet complement them. It will allow teachers to focus on engaging and mentoring their students.

Anything else you would like to share?

Working at home is definitely really hard and sometimes it feels like it is easier to just give up but don't, be resilient, get the work done and chase your dreams.

Recommended lockdown read or watch:

I would definitely recommend watching Grey's Anatomy as it is a rollercoaster of emotions, with plenty of seasons to keep you busy.

• Cerys Roe, Receptionist

What have been the biggest challenges?

The biggest challenges for me was adapting to the 'new norm': The disruption of work and family routine; Constant worry and concern for the health and wellbeing of myself and others.

What, if anything, do you miss?

I miss not being able to visit my family and friends. The simple pleasures we take for granted. I miss the friendly faces and social interaction shared within school.

Have there been any surprising positives?

As individuals we have all become a lot more aware of others. I have a greater appreciation for what is most important and more of a willingness to do all I can to help others.

Recommended lockdown read or watch:

The Serpent on BBC One.

• Lewis Clarke, 12, Year 8

What have been the biggest challenges?

The biggest challenge has been the distractions at home.

What, if anything, do you miss?

Really miss seeing my mates and the social side of school life.

Have there been any surprising positives to come out of this?

Not having to walk to school has made mornings more relaxing.

How do you think things will be different in the future at school?

I'll definitely look forward to going to school, as being home schooled has been strange. Think we will be wearing masks and sanitising for a while, so that will make school continue to feel different.

Recommended lockdown read or watch:

I'd recommend watching Police Interceptors on Channel 5. I love listening to music and my favourite lockdown tune has been Valley One by The K's.

• Elinor Dulson, English and drama teacher

What have been the biggest challenges?

For me, teaching practical elements (of both subjects) through the screen! It is difficult for practical subjects to have maximum learner engagement all the time when lessons are usually the opposite of sitting and writing each lesson.

I know all teachers and lots of pupils will say the same - just that face-to-face communication each day is so important and it can be really difficult through a screen.

What, if anything, do you miss?

I like technology but I enjoy that teaching is a practical job where you're not sat at a desk all day, staring at a computer. I actually miss being on my feet and teaching, walking up and down the stairs and doing my break duty (yes, I did just say that).

Have there been any surprising positives?

Some pupils are more keen to give answers or show work, which hopefully may give them confidence in the future. We all have a better understanding of each other and what we may need in good times and in bad, because we are asking each other (more than ever): 'are you ok?' I think this will make us better empathisers in the future.

Any thoughts on the direction of teaching in the future?

Does this mean we won't get snow days anymore? (Jokes) I think this is a positive use of technology that we can utilise whether we're learning inside or outside of school! It will make us rethink engagement in lessons and how we can teach our subjects.

Anything else you would like to share?

That pupils and staff at CQHS are doing an A* job!

Recommended lockdown read or watch:

Man Down – comedy series about a drama teacher (hopefully not art reflecting life). Truly hysterical. Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier – a classic!

• Catryn Oldfield, 12, Year 7

What have been the biggest challenges?

The biggest challenges of the current way of learning are that I am unable to see friends and extended family, and when I'm in school I always have motivation, but at home I sometimes struggle with self-motivation to do work.

Also, at first doing online work was a struggle, because it took me a while to get used to all the new way of joining live lessons and submitting work.

I have managed to complete all of my work, however I can imagine some learners may struggle if their motivation is low, distractions at home and internet or technology issues.

What, if anything, do you miss?

Over this experience, I really miss my friends, teachers, my family, and the routine of school. And of course, the waffles from the cafeteria.

Have there been any surprising positives?

Surprisingly, there have been some positives in this experience. One of those being that I don't have to get up in the morning as early as I would have to normally.

I also don't need to get dressed because I'm not going anywhere, so (admittedly) I have had some days in my pyjamas.

Any thoughts on the direction of teaching in the future?

I think that in school after the virus, we will all be more careful and perhaps we will still sanitise on the way in and out, and clean the tables at the end of the lesson.

Anything else you would like to share?

What really helps me relax and just forget about the virus is going out for a short walk around my area. Now that the weather is getting a bit better I will go on my bike/scooter also.

Recommended lockdown read or watch:

Books I would definitely recommend while at home are Wave Me Goodbye, Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Goodnight Mr Tom. These books are all set in the Second World War, and I have found that reading these type of books makes you realise that children and soldiers then had a far worse life than we are now. A series that I would recommend is Not Going Out starring Lee Mack.

• Holli Hughes, 15, Year 10

What have been the biggest challenges?

My biggest challenge in terms of the current way of learning is that I haven't been able to get up and go to school and be in the classroom.

Have there been any surprising positives?

During this lockdown period, my experience with home learning has been a positive one just because I feel as though I have become more independent and involved in lessons.

I am also finding myself answering questions more frequently.

A surprising positive throughout home learning is that I have gained confidence to share my answers and express my opinions with the class, even though we have not been face to face learning with our teachers yet they still are always finding ways to ensure we get the help we need.

In regards to our future in school I don't think much will be different for the foreseeable future.

• Chris Jennings, Curriculum Leader Technology, Engineering and STEM

What have been the biggest challenges?

Learning, embracing and adapting new teaching methods as well as new technologies to deliver lessons. Ensuring that all learners have access to devices to allow them to engage with lessons through blended learning.

What, if anything, do you miss?

I miss being face-to-face and the general interaction with learners in a classroom/workshop. Considering the subject that I teach, not being able to deliver a practical experience knowing how much the learners enjoy these activities is difficult.

Have there been any surprising positives?

I am really pleased and impressed with the numbers of learners actively engaged and their positive attitude.

Any thoughts on the direction of teaching in the future?

I can see blended learning being adapted and used as catch up sessions. The technologies that we are using have enhanced the way that lessons are being taught.

Anything else you would like to share?

Staff at Connah's Quay High School have worked hard to provide the best provision and support for our learners.

We work well as a team and even in these difficult times and with constant challenges, we are here for the learners.

Appreciation of what CQHS has implemented is seen on both sides of the school gates, parents, carers, learners and staff alike.

Recommended lockdown read or watch:

Richard Hammond's Big series. Great for engineering marvels and accomplishments.