Shielding Surrey Teenagers back to School After 14 Months in Lockdown
Last updated 22nd Feb 2022
Two siblings from Staines are back at school after shielding since November 2020.
Amelia and William Priddy have been out of school for 60 weeks after finding out their dad Greg had been diagnosed with a rare brain tumour.
The siblings aged 16 and 13 have been learning from home throughout the lockdown, as well as raising money for Brain Tumour Research whilst Greg received treatment, including chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
Their parents Jo and Greg are ‘extremely grateful’ for the support they’ve had from the Magna Carta School in Staines.
Throughout their time shielding, both Amelia and William have been fundraising and supporting Brain Tumour Research. William ran a mile a day, whilst Amelia choreographed dances and sold homemade resin keyrings.
William, who has raised more than £14,000 for the charity, said:
“So at the start of January last year, I did one mile a day, then sometimes I did more so I was doing 3 miles every day.
“Then there was a month where I was doing 4, there was a time where I did a half marathon. Then I went into a marathon and did that.
“It has kept me entertained because when I’m bored, I’ll just go out and do a run then I’ll come in and find something else to do.”
Now that the pair are returning to school, exceptional measures have been put in place to help them, including allowing them to leave classes five minutes early to avoid crowds, and not participating in contact sports in PE.
Following over a year of home learning, both Amelia and William are looking forward to seeing their friends again, as well as being able to speak with their teachers and get back into a classroom environment.
After a long time of not being able to spend time with her friends face to face, Amelia said:
“A couple of my friends just want to have picnics. Last year in summer they all went out for picnics and everything.
“They said ‘we need to bring Amelia along with us, we need to do this next summer with her’ which will be really nice.”
Amelia is looking forward to getting back to getting back to her classrooms ahead of her GCSE’s, with dance being her top priority.
William’s fundraising for Brain Tumour Research is ongoing, and details can be found online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/william-priddy1.