Ivanhoe College has described how the school coped making sure they were able to welcome new pupils - by creating a 'virtual transition' during the Coronavirus lockdown.

The Ashby-based school says it set up a series of initiatives including using the website to connect with children and parents, organising tours of the building and other activities.

Ivanhoe College explained how it adapted to the restrictions of the pandemic.

"Who would have thought that back in March when we closed early, for what we thought would be an extended Easter break, that we would reach the end of the school year with the country still not back to normal?," said the school in a release.

"But Ivanhoe wasn't going to let the lockdown get in the way of ensuring that the Year 6 students coming up to Ivanhoe didn't get the welcome and the transition time they deserved.

"Working with teams across the school, with support from the feeder primary schools, and with lots of technology, Ivanhoe set about creating a virtual transition that has been praised by new parents and students. 

"On the website the college set up a fantastic new area full of videos and resources to help new students.

"Staff and key worker children took them on tours of the building and talked them through day to day life at school.

"Online questionnaires were quickly responded to with FAQ's answering any common questions.

"Weekly countdown transition activities were available to help them prepare for high school, including lots of opportunities for them to share information about themselves with Ivanhoe staff too.

"In addition the 'knowledge organisers' gave students and their parents a focus; to remind themselves of the knowledge and skills they should be leaving primary school with, across all subjects, to help them make the best start at high school.

"With limits on the numbers allowed for public gatherings, the Leadership Team also took the welcome evenings online, with opportunities for students to hear from their Heads of Houses and Form Tutors too.

"Parents have praised the school by saying: 'It has been fantastic to work through this week by week with my child and they are now less nervous about starting high school.'

'I have already had one child in Ivanhoe, but the online welcome has been so helpful as you often forget things when you leave the meeting. This way we can check back and revisit things' 

"The Leadership Team has been so pleased with the feedback that they are even looking to incorporate some of this virtual element next year.

"But it hasn't just been the new students that Ivanhoe staff have been supporting.

"The school has been open non stop through the pandemic (including school holidays), with around 50 key worker and vulnerable children accessing onsite education, with most staff on rotas and in school supporting these families. 

"Again, online resources through our virtual learning network have ensured that students have been able to access quality lessons and resources, students have even kept up to date with their assemblies, and students and parents have been able to contact staff directly throughout the closure.

"And we're sure no students will ever forget the first ever Ivanhoe virtual sports day! 

Head Teacher Alison Allford said: "I would like to extend a huge thank you to the Ivanhoe families that have diligently supported their children with home learning.

"We know that it has been a very challenging time and that many parents have also been juggling home learning with working from home.

"We want to say congratulations to our students that have demonstrated time and again their amazing attitude to learning and their resilience to change.

"Finally I would like to thank my staff team, both teaching and support staff that have helped keep the school open and our students learning.

"We are sure there will still be many challenges to come from COVID-19, but we cannot wait to have our students back in school again."