Harrogate teachers warn of importance of in-person teaching at primary level
Education leaders say it's vital in a child's development
Last updated 12th Jan 2022
As today marks a week since most Harrogate district schools returned after the Christmas break, there are concerns for how long they might remain open.
Education bosses have warned better ventilation is needed in classrooms to try and prevent the spread of infection as cases across the country continue to rise and that an increase in covid numbers could lead to closures.
They are also worried that further closers could have a detrimental impact to children's development, particularly in primary schools.
Emma Shea, acting head at Belmont Grosvenor School, has said it's not just teaching which is better in person.
"Pastoral care and the wellbeing of children is very difficult to pick up on over a screen. It's just the little things, the physical nature of learning that you can pick up on as a teacher in a classroom which is harder to notice virtually.
"We feel like we could go back to online learning tomorrow with ease but no one wants to do that. It's important that the children are here and it's all the extra things they get so the practical things we teach in school that is important at this age group.
"We are a small school so just losing one of two members of staff to covid isolations we do feel it but we're a really close team so actually for another member of staff to step in and take over a class is much easier for us.
"We've got a massive amount of outdoor space so we've tried to use that as much as possible. We're trying to do classes outside where we can and often we will split classes into groups to make better use of space within school."
Independent prep school Belmont Grosvenor is set in 20-acres of grounds just a few miles from the centre of Harrogate. The school, in the village of Birstwith, welcomes boys and girls from three months to 11 years.
The next BGS Open Morning is on Tuesday 25th January 2022 between 9.30 and 11.30am. To book a space email: admin@belmontgrosvenor.co.uk