A teacher for 17 years, 38-year-old Shanna has learned to adapt her teaching methods to fit the need to go online.

And it’s something that the school has been praised for by many people interviewed in the Jewish Telegraph since the lockdown began.

Shanna said: “So much learning in schools comes from talking, discussing, questioning, answering — and then questioning again.

“To teach remotely, without classroom talk, is a huge challenge, but we have resources to try to make it work and incredible computing staff.

“We mainly use Zoom and Microsoft Outlook, which allow teachers and children to upload and edit documents, tests and slides.

“It allows us to share lesson presentations and set and give constructive praise and feedback as and when needed.

“We keep in constant contact with our children and their families, emailing them daily and ensuring they are all able to understand what we are learning.

“The most useful tool for recreating the classroom environment has been Zoom, where we can live-stream interactive lessons which children join and contribute to.

“When you’d rather they listen than talk, you can mute their microphones — a useful function I wouldn’t mind occasionally bringing to real classrooms!”

The implementation of Zoom has also allowed children to see their friends during lesson time.

The school also places a huge emphasis on well-being and nurturing the mental health of the pupils, which Zoom has also allowed them to continue doing.

Lockdown has forced a change in how lessons are planned, too.

Shanna explained: “As teachers, we are learning new tech skills and rapidly adapting our teaching materials.

“We’ve seen incredibly self-disciplined children, with the support of their parents, completely focused on home working.

“We have also been able to reassure parents through our app, Facebook page and email that they mustn’t put too much pressure on themselves.

“We understand that many parents are working while trying to support their children and this is a challenge, so any learning they complete at home is fantastic and we remind our parents that learning comes in many different ways — it is not just pen and paper!

“Changes to the ways in which lessons are delivered have necessitated much more planning and putting materials online ahead of the day’s timetable.

“There’s less flexibility to find something on the web and share it on the whiteboard within seconds, as I used to do in the classroom.

“Many children rely heavily on schools to keep them occupied productively, so sharing resources is the most important cog in our survival strategy and I think it’s really helped our children and their families.”

On a personal level, Shanna has enjoyed spending time with husband Marc and their two children.

Lockdown has given the family a chance to spend “much needed” time together.

“It's been lovely having quality family time,” she said.

“I have missed school though, and my children have missed their friends.

“I’ve also missed the ability to move around freely.

“I think lockdown has taught us that we definitely take a lot of things for granted.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my family, my friends, my colleagues and not being restricted by lockdown rules.

“Professionally, I’ve missed interacting with the children in my class, the smiling faces of our parents and staffroom laughter.”

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