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 wider reopening of the secondary academies.

This time we chat with Sheriden Hutchinson-Jones, Principal at Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth. 

Read on to see how Sheriden and the team at OA Bishopsgarth dealt with the wider reopening of the academy to students.

[Outwood.com] Hi Sheriden, 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, as we begin to enter a new ‘normal’, how were you feeling prior to the academy reopening?

“I suppose before we even closed the school as we know it, we were always preparing to re-open. It was at the forefront of every day tasks, discussions in SLT meetings and staff briefings. So I felt confident that we had everything in place to make it safe and welcoming for staff and students. 

“On the actual day I felt excited to see the students and staff, but also a sense of apprehension as to what was really going on behind their nervous smiles, hoping the experience of lock down had more positive experiences outweighing the negative ones.”

A very understandable and quite common mix of emotions then. It sounds like you and the team were always clear on the goal you were working towards. So which part of the wider reopening process did you find most challenging?

“In the early stages of planning, the challenge was about reshaping the environment into a 'safe distancing school'. 

“This involved seeing it differently, going against all the natural principles we evoke in a place of learning, interaction and emotional safety. 

“As an SLT team we challenged each other on how we could put the principles into practice. The re-styling of classrooms to ensure a two-metre distance in such a small school and ensuring we could grow the modelling as students increased; coupling this with the assurances that we would keep the character of classrooms so they didn't become too clinical.”

When you describe it like that, it does sound an incredibly difficult task. So on a more positive note, what has surprised you most about the process?

“Just how eager our students are to be back. They were happy to talk about their experiences but a little reluctant as well, understandably. Some of them were more eager to talk about the subjects they've struggled with. 

“We've encouraged them that 'honesty is the best policy'. The more honest they are the quicker we can help and support. We know that encouraging them to talk about their experiences will not come out in one session, so we are ensuring that over time we weave in these opportunities in the way we style our lessons and support. 

“These will need to be blended opportunities to learn academically but to also have time to reflect.”

Well it sounds like the students are in great hands. Thanks for your time, Sheriden.