Back to school for pupils at Prince of Wales
They are one of the first schools in Dorchester to welcome students back.
The gates reopened for children at a school in Dorchester this week.
The Prince of Wales School is one of the first to welcome children back.
They have introduced staggered arrivals, bubbled classrooms and extra handwashing as COVID-secure safety measures.
Children are arriving at the school in 15 minute intervals according to their surnames to ensure families can arrive together.
Speaking about the return, Year 3 pupil Cameron said:
"It's brilliant to be back! We love learning at The Prince of Wales School - it's the greatest school on earth!"
Year 4 pupil Evie adds:
"Our school was one of the first in the country to re-open to all children back in June but now even more children are in!
"It's brilliant to see our friends, our teachers and continue with our inspiring learning opportunities."
The school says it's ready to help children who are experiencing anxiety about going back to the classroom.
Headteacher Gary Spracklen said:
"They would have had a summer like no other, when they've gone perhaps to less places than they would normally go and when they have gone places they've had to think carefully about how they maintain social distancing.
"Nautrally, those are all things that children are carrying around with them, just like we as adults are - perhaps as adults though we're better at articulating and feel that we can share.
"We're going to be making sure that children have regu.llar opportunities for them to share. We've always place a strong emphasis on the development of children's mental health and wellbeing at this school, but never has that been more important than now."
'A new opportunity'
While many of the changes are viewed as restrictions, the school says the pandemic has opened up more opportunities for education, particularly during its school assemblies.
The school's managed to get live interviews with people that the children normally would not be able to hear from, such as rhino keepers and musicians.
They are now broadcast live from Mr Spracklen's office to classrooms as well as YouTube and Facebook.
Gary Spracklen said:
"Having a virutal assembly means we can bring guests in from anywhere in the world.
"We've already done that through bringing in rhino keepers, giraffe keepers, musicians, magicians...
"We've brought a whole range of different people in... that we wouldn't be able to bring in to Dorchester, or if we did there would be significant cost involved.
"This situation provides us with new opportunities as well as challenges."