EDUCAT ION IN CAMBR I DGE 15 The New Normal N OW T H A T C H I L D R E N A R E B A C K I N T H E C L A S S R O OM , S C H O O L S A R E WO R K I N G H A R D T O A D A P T A N D E V O L V E D U R I N G T H E S E S T R A N G E T I M E S
N
ational lockdown may be over, at least for now, but the way schools work has changed, possibly for ever. Before the new academic year
started, schools were having to
rethink just about every aspect of school life. Almost everything we take for granted – from assemblies to lessons, team sports to playtimes – has been taken apart and put back together again. And there seems to be an unexpected side effect. Not only are schools doing things differently, but, in some cases, they could well turn out to be better. Proof that our area’s schools have adapted effortlessly to this whole new mindset shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, they’re known for their ability to rise to a challenge even if, in the case of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s one without precedent. While the circumstances were less than ideal, the need for schools to embrace change may turn out to have unexpected benefits. In particular, the need to think creatively means that many have come up with new ways of doing things – something that may turn out to be not a compromise, but an improvement. Schools are reporting that staff teams have emerged from lockdown stronger and more united than ever before. Regardless of role and seniority, they have wanted to get involved and help one another out. They’ve
first-hand just how their children’s teachers planned and delivered lessons so that they captured their interest – and realised how hard it was. This may well have changed the relationship between schools and parents for good, with more respect on both sides and potentially a greater sense of partnership. Of course, all the creativity in the world can’t disguise the fact that schools
pulled together in such uncertain times to ensure that while safety is, of course, the priority, the whole learning experience has remained exciting, engaging and effective. Never before have parents been so involved in their children’s education on a day-to-day basis. Where schools offered virtual classrooms during lockdown, parents have had a pupil’s-eye view into the nuts and bolts of school life. They saw
CAMBRIDGE EDUCAT ION GUIDE
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