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 Andy Scruby, Principal at Outwood Academy Adwick. 

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

[Outwood.com] Hi Andy, 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?

“Hi, thanks for asking me to take part! Well, I was obviously excited at the opportunity to commence work with our students after a long time away and bring our academy community back together. 

“Whilst we have pulled closely as a staff team throughout the crisis, this was finally a time where we could begin to work together again in the academy and check-in with each other. 

“This was a start to the re-building of our academy plans and a great chance to begin working with students, ensuring we could set them on track for great future outcomes.”

Sounds like you were thinking very positively about the process then. What would you say was the most challenging aspect of it all though?

“Whilst our return plans were detailed and really thought through, the nervousness came in how they would be received by the whole academy and local community. 

“Everybody has had a different experience of the crisis, personally and professionally and we really wanted to alleviate natural anxieties and ensure that staff, students and families could be confident in our return. 

“This was firstly through briefings, but then in actually coming into school and experiencing our new ways of working to ensure we were safe and supportive. I'm proud of how our community has pulled together to make this happen.”

Justifiably so, it sounds like you, your team, and the wider community have worked tremendously. Was there anything about the process which surprised you though?

“Well, it is perhaps not a surprise looking back, but how quickly staff & students have adapted to the new ways of working.

“After what has been an eerily quiet few weeks in the academy, it was quickly re-filled with eager and excited teachers & support staff, all supporting each other and working in new ways. 

“The positivity of students has been brilliant and the nurturing nature of our staff, in all roles, clearly demonstrated how our school is far from being just about academic excellence, but about being a caring and supporting family which enables everyone to strive.”

Well that is a fantastically positive note to end this quick chat on. Thank you for your time, Andy.