As part of our new feature, we are talking with members of the Outwood Family and finding out how life has changed for them since the school closures announcement.

This time we chat with Scott Thomas, Head of Humanities & Associate Assistant Principal at Outwood Academy Brumby.

Read on to see how Scott’s day to day life has been changed due to the social distancing measures taken by the Government.

[Outwood.com] Hi Scott, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. We appreciate you’re busy, so let’s get to it! Things have been turned upside down recently, for reasons we are all too aware of. So, for you what has been the most difficult aspect of the lockdown period for you and your work?

“This is a simple one.

“Not seeing the wonderful students from Scunthorpe on a daily basis and interacting with them has definitely been the most difficult aspect of this period. The students are simply wonderful and to be honest, the same goes for my team at Outwood Academy Brumby. I miss them all dearly. I think it is because we work so well together when we are in school, and Google Meets just can’t replicate that energy.”

That is a recurring theme we are finding as we chat with more people. The lack of interaction with the students and the staff is the most difficult aspect. So, what is a typical day like for you now?

“I will start work at around 8am each morning answering emails, and checking in with my team. 

“Then I move on to Google Classroom to set work for my groups and make sure everything is okay before I make calls to our vulnerable students. I ensure our vulnerable students are phoned once a week so we can keep up some form of contact and check that they are okay.

“Throughout the day I also work on projects with Directors for future learning, and get things ready for the return to school. It is this part which is the most exciting, as every teacher will tell you that they have many ideas but never the time to implement them, now is this time!”

A busy day then and it is good that you are working hard to keep up to contact levels with vulnerable children. 

What has surprised you most since lockdown began?

“The resilience of both staff and students to quickly adapt to new ways of working has been incredible and quite inspiring. They've risen to the challenge so well and it has made me so proud to be part of the Outwood Family.”

Well that’s just a wonderful answer! Absolutely brilliant to hear that’s how you feel. As well as surprising, has that been your most satisfying moment during this lockdown period or is there something else? 

“I have tried to keep positive throughout this and used any time I have after my day to day work to plan for when we return.

“I have found it really satisfying to spend time working on the projects to help us when we return such as videos, resources and a curriculum rewrite. 

“Having the time to complete these has meant we can do a really good job to make the return even better than before we closed.”

That is a very positive answer. You seem to have really embraced this period, so with that in mind, how do you think your approach to work post-lockdown will be affected by this time?

“I do think my approach to my work will change because of this period. First I will not take the daily interaction with the students for granted.

“Second, I believe I will have saved time when we return because of the planning and preparation I’ve used this time for which could allow me to spend more time with my family and on my hobbies in the future.”

Thanks for your time, Scott.