Ashby's Ivanhoe College has given an insight as to how they are tackling the latest lockdown - including teaching pupils at home and over 100 keyworker children still attending school.

Ivanhoe College has also given details of its lateral-flow testing centre for staff and students

The College says: "As we move into lockdown three and the expected return of students to school has been extended from the January11-February 22 at the earliest, staff at Ivanhoe College have been working harder than ever to ensure our students continue to receive a quality education whilst at home, or in school as a keyworker child.

"We continue to support over 100 keyworker children per week in school, with a timetable taught face-to-face by our teachers.

"For those learning from home we offer a mix of pre-recorded and live lessons, as a way to help families balance their internet usage and time.

"In addition weekly tutor group check ins with their class ensure that student's wellbeing is also being supported.

"For the first time ever, we have also started running some hybrid lessons, which see students in school and at home joining together for life skills lessons.

"Head teacher  Mrs Alison Allford said, "We are so happy to be able to support a large amount of keyworker families in school, like we did in the last lockdown.

"We have had wonderful feedback from our families, not only about this in school learning, but in response to our home learning provision.

"I am proud of how my staff have continued to produce outstanding lessons, and how involved they are in ensuring the wellbeing of our young people.

"I am pleased to say that our young people are also showing amazing resilience and independence with their learning. Well done Ivanhoe."

"All of this has not come easily, and it should not be under-estimated how hard teaching staff have worked to learn this new technology and employ new teaching techniques, as well as overcoming nerves about broadcasting themselves over the internet.

"Luckily, this hard work has not gone unnoticed by our families, with parents taking the time to send in messages of thanks and support.

"One said, "I just want to feedback to school that this week's home schooling programme has been great and has engaged my son really well.

"I am also working from home and am a single parent so my children have to be able to engage without much support. It is honestly a million times better than lockdown one, and I think it is important that the teachers and staff know this. You are all working so hard under the most challenging circumstances, thank you."

"Our leadership team are constantly responding to the ever changing government guidelines and are working round the clock to balance the learning provision for students and safety for the staff.

"In addition to ensuring staff have time to continue their CPD opportunities and supporting staff wellbeing, they also continue the work towards the school age range change and the joining of the LiFE MAT.

"Behind the scenes support staff are also working to ensure; that the tech and admin side is running smoothly, that students with additional needs are supported, that keyworker children in school are fed, that those families in need receive food vouchers, and our school site is clean and as Covid secure as possible.

"This has all been a phenomenal amount of work and change for any school, but in addition (along with other secondary schools) we now have a Lateral-Flow Testing centre for staff and students.

"This is a testing facility for those with no symptoms, but who may be asymptomatic carriers of Covid-19.

"A specialist testing site has had to be established (in the school library) at short notice and support staff have volunteered to take on a variety of roles including registering all the test subjects with track and trace, assisting staff and students with instructions and support for self-testing, conducting the actual tests on the swab samples, and recording the results on the official database.

"Staff involved have spent a number of hours undertaking training and are spending long hours wearing PPE.

"Initially all students in school have been tested twice in a short space of time (3-5 days between tests), and then all staff weekly.

"Moving forward students or staff who may have been in close contact with a case in school will be offered seven days off in school tests (each morning before heading to lessons) instead of 10 days in isolation.

"This testing is expected to continue once all children and staff return at the end of the lockdown.

Business manager Tracy Winfield, who is the Test Site Leader said, "I can't praise my team enough. Those who have stepped up to undertake the testing duties, and the other support staff that are also taking on additional duties to ensure all the usual duties are covered. Definitely a team."