STUDENTS in South East Cornwall will be back in school from today as learning returns from the virtual into the real classroom.

Secondary schools in the district are staggering the return of young people by age group. At Liskeard School and Community College, students and their parents are being invited to individual tutor meetings today and tomorrow, with classes beginning on Wednesday. At Callington Community College, all children will also be back in class by this Wednesday, while at Torpoint Community College, a phased return will happen over ten days.

Meanwhile primary schools are also ready to welcome children back today: at Liskeard Hillfort Primary School, staggered drop-off and pick-up times have been arranged so as to avoid large numbers of people on-site at any one time.

A huge effort has gone on to establish testing facilities capable of carrying out regular lateral-flow coronavirus testing for thousands of young people.

Principal at Callington Community College Wendy Ainsworth spoke of the importance of getting children back to ‘normal’ classroom interaction.

“We were pleased with the news that we could expect students back from March 8,” she said.

“We know that our school is a safe place, with good health and safety protocols in place. Our test centre is also fully functional, so we are in a good position to begin testing of students straight away.

Teachers have noticed recently that young people have become more subdued in the ‘break -out’ rooms online, she said. (Break-out rooms are smaller virtual classrooms where students learn with peers and staff)

“Whilst we have striven to maintain a normal timetable, and this has meant no loss in learning, there has been significant loss of social interaction for our students,” Ms Ainsworth said.

“Even within bubbles, whilst wearing masks, the mental health benefits of social interaction cannot be over-estimated.”

The head described carrying out Covid-19 testing for every student twice within the first week back as a “mammoth undertaking”.

Year 11s and sixth formers will be the first to return today, with Years 10 and 7 returning tomorrow, and the remainder of students on Wednesday.

“We will need to conduct approximately 60 tests per hour over each day for nine days, but this is planned for and we can have all children back in College by Wednesday (March 10).

“By the Thursday of the second week, we will have tested all children (of those who have consented) the required three times. I am eternally grateful to my staff that we have been able to make this happen and delighted that all of our students will be back in so quickly.”