Returning to school is always a nervous experience, and with lockdown number three approaching its end, there’s more things to look forward to, but is school one of them? 

 

The government has advised schools to reopen and all school children to return on 8 March, which is going to be an extremely stressful time for many. Lockdown has definitely taken its toll on students of all ages. From primary school children lacking valuable learning for early development and secondary school children missing opportunities to showcase their potential through GCSEexaminations. All this pressure that’s build up through lockdown will inevitable have effects on children’s mental health. And with the return of school, children may struggle to release this anxiety before being thrown back into education. 

 

A-level Student Abi Copper has expressed her views on going back to school and has said “I want to go back as i find it hard to do stuff at home, especially during my free periods.” Her attitude was she would be “more motivated when [she] goes back and to hopefully catch up on all [her] work.” In her opinion lockdown was tough on her motivation and no attendance at school meant she couldn’t contact her teachers via email after school hours, therefore when she returns it’ll give her a chance to “talk to all her teachers” and receive support that was missing during online school. 

 

Although, on December 22 SAGE told the Government to close schools, it remained open for children of key-workers. A-level student Olivia Dempsey has continued to study on school premises with teacher supervision. She was one of many children that had to continue learning in school due to their parents' jobs, however, it has still impacted these individuals. Olivia says she’s “looking forward to getting back to actual lessons'' however her worries concerning the fact that “schools haven’t taken into account Covid testing and the sheer amount of people that need to be tested before schools reopen” remains. On the other hand, it’s meant that even though she has stayed in school, the return back to mild ‘normalcy’ has pushed her to be “more motivated because [she] will actually be able to engage in lessons properly and won't be able to get away with not doing work”. Therefore, the reopening of schools has increased her motivation and improved her mentality to improve. 

 

As well as this, school children aren’t the only ones that have been impacted. Younger children and nursery children haven’t received the vital benefits of nursery care, as well as childminders not being able to provide important social skills a child needs. 

 

Self employed Nanny, Niamh Sullivan, from Surrey, has expressed her experience with returning back to work. She says she “was excited to see the kids and get back to a routine”. Surprisingly she says “I don’t think I was as anxious as I thought I would be”, she also stated that “If I had any more time offI would’ve struggled even more going back, because you get used to spending time at home.” Furthermore, there are obvious worries surrounding returning back to work and school, and having people working beside that aren’t in your bubble. In asking Niamh if she was anxious about surrounding herself with people outside her bubble she replied, “If I’m honest, no. Probably because as long as I'm sensible it’s quite easy to be safe”. Continuing, she said, “you can do it and be safe, as long as you’re taking the correct precautions”. This emphasised the importance of sticking to government guidelines when returning to school and work. Finally, Niamh spoke about how her line of work had been affected due to lockdown easing up, she said “[she’s] limited to what she can do as swimming pools and soft play centres are shut”. Nevertheless, Niamh stated “it’s pretty much the same”. 

 

In speaking to multiple people in different situations, all facing similar challenges, it’s important to note that the general feelings towards redoing society is positive. People are finding more motivation with the return of schools and their new found drive to improve their life and kick start their journey back to normality.