A Wrexham primary school has been celebrating the effort and work of its pupils during periods of remote learning.

After a successful autumn term, the team at All Saints' School in Gresford adapted again to an extended period of distance learning.

With the exception of provision for key workers and vulnerable pupils, schools across Wales did not re-open after the Christmas break and are now working to prepare to start bringing their youngest pupils who are in the Foundation Phase back to school after half term.

Headteacher Richard Hatwood said: "This has been a challenging time for everyone, and we have certainly missed not having all of our school family together in the school building.

"After achieving so much during the autumn term, we were determined to maintain the quality of our teaching and learning offer during the spring term to the best of our ability in the circumstances."

The Leader:

The school had to think creatively to maintain the teaching and learning, which entailed several adaptations to the school day.

All Key Stage Two classes benefit from a daily live lesson from their class teacher and the chance to interact with their peers.

In the Foundation Phase, pupils enjoy regular live sessions and also the chance to share a story with their teachers.

In addition, family art, music and cookery activities have taken place as well as a regular logo hunt around the village for when families are undertaking their local exercise.

In a marked development of the teaching and learning offer from the previous period of school closure, teaching assistants in Key Stage Two have been delivering literacy, numeracy and emotional and social sessions in small groups and on an individual basis via video link.

The Leader:

This has proved very popular with pupils and families alike. Wellbeing as also been centre stage during the lockdown, with support offered to pupils who may be struggling with understanding the pandemic and in managing their feelings and emotions.

It certainly hasn't been quiet in school during this period of closure, several key building projects have taken place to improve and develop the learning environment for the pupils when they return, including development of a new nursery and Key Stage Two library.

Staff have been actively engaged working on a Welsh Government project to share the school's experience of developing approaches to the Curriculum for Wales, which will be shared on the Hwb platform in April 2021.

The Leader:

Mr Hatwood added: "We couldn't have achieved everything we have done without the support of the entire school staff, our governing body, our parents and carers, and especially our pupils.

"We look forward to beginning to welcome them back to school soon and are excited for everything that we have planned."