TEACHING during lockdown may have its challenges ­— but one Bolton teacher says it has brought the school and wider community together.

Tony Grogan of Turton School said the team work necessary to pull off successful teaching and learning in these unprecedented times has "created strong bonds" between staff, pupils and families.

Schools were closed to all but a handful of pupils in March ­— but preparations behind the scenes ensured the transition was as smooth as possible.

Students were taught how to access a cloud-based system and teacher training sessions were held.

The history teacher said: "Since the crisis began, school leaders, teachers and staff have pulled together in hugely challenging circumstances to keep schools open for those who need it the most and find innovative and creative ways to support our pupils.

"Teaching requires an element of being flexible and the ability to think on your feet. You need to have back up plans. We were able to draw on some of that experience when we recognised there was a high chance schools would close for a period."

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Emotional support was also given to young people.

"Some students found the lack of the structure, which attending school provides, a real challenge.

"In response , our pastoral team worked hard to contact students and support them whilst social distancing. This has seen real results and the vast majority of students are now able to structure their time and complete their schoolwork. It really has been a team effort across all staff to make it work," said Mr Grogan, who qualified as a teacher two years ago after serving 24-years in the army.

He added: "We also focused on the welfare of the students and made sure they understood we were all part of one community, and we would be looking after each other in different ways whilst in isolation. The school day provides a framework for so many students and we wanted them to know that whilst it was going to be different, that framework would still be there with teachers able to support them."

Although Mr Grogan says that nothing can replace the classroom learning experience, he and his colleagues have tried to replicate that experience where possible, teaching face-to-face via video and recorded lessons.

"We have also been able to draw on wider resources which we wouldn’t usually use in the classroom and so we have been able to direct students to take virtual tours of museums, access news archives and read original material from historical events," said Mr Grogan.

Recently there has been concerns raised nationally about a "digital divide" with some pupils not having the technology to access lessons, and vulnerable children missing vital schooling.

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But at Turton School the pastoral team, says Mr Grogan, has spoken to parents and pupils who cannot access the material online and are posting work out for it to be returned.

"It’s not been easy for anyone but the support and determination has been there to find workarounds and solutions to help continue caring for children and supporting their learning," he said, "The pastoral team at Turton have really proved themselves over this period. They are working with subject teachers and form tutors to identify concerns then working directly with families and students. The pastoral team spend months and years building up positive relationships with families and these relationships come to the fore now when they work with families during these difficult times."

Tony said: "The unprecedented teamwork and emotional support from friends, family and parents keeps us going.

"I’ve been touched by the heart-felt messages of support and 'thank yous' from pupils, parents and the wider community – it’s created stronger bonds and helped keep me motivated.

"Being a teacher always allows you to make a real difference in the world, but I’ve felt a heightened sense of purpose during these extraordinary circumstances.

"I have been incredibly impressed with the resilience of the students. The virus has affected the lives of many of the students in very personal ways, but the manner in which they have dealt with that has been amazing and it is something that really inspires me."

Mr Grogan concluded: "We recognise that school will be different when we return – as to how it is different it is too soon to say."