Back to Class...with Ryan Tingle

As the new academic year begins, we have managed to grab five minutes with some busy members of the Outwood Family to discuss how they have found getting back into the classroom and being together again with students.

This time we sat down with Ryan Tingle, Associate Assistant Principal at Outwood Academy Danum. 

Outwood.com: Hi Ryan! Thanks for finding time to speak with us during what is a very busy time for you I am sure, so I will get straight to it.

We are well into the new term now and children are back in school, so how did you feel in the lead up to the start of the new academic year?

RT: “Hello, thanks for asking me to take part and speak with you. In answer to your question, I felt excited for the new term. I am sure like many other staff members, I felt well supported over the summer in the build up to reopening and I was well-informed of all the safety measures which had been put in place.”

The communication about the safety measures being put in place seems to be something that many found reassuring over the summer. Was there anything in particular then which you were excited for as you returned to the academy?

“SImple one, it had to be getting back in front of a class and teaching! I couldn’t wait to be back face-to-face with students and teaching. It is what we do, so it was tough when we couldn’t do this. Obviously we supported students remotely, but the face-to-face interaction was something I had really missed.”

You aren’t alone in feeling like that judging by those we have spoken to for this feature! So how has it been then being back in the academy with students?

“It has been good but understandably the first few few days were tough as both staff and students had to get to grips with the new structures, but these are well embedded now and we are really into the swing of things now.”

Think a tough start was to be expected, but I think the Outwood Family faced them with a positive attitude which helped us get through them and settle into this normal as quickly as possible! So what would you say are your hopes or expectations for the rest of the term then?

“Like most people, we just want a return to normality as soon as possible. I think ideally, we will have no local lockdowns or anything of that type of nature which could disrupt the students’ education.”

Thank you for your time and speaking with us, Ryan.