A sneak-peek at 'new look' school life

The hall at D'Auvergne school has been adapted in preparation for the return of the rest of year 6 pupils on Monday.

Jersey's schools are preparing to re-open to Years 6, 10 and 12 on Monday 8 June.

ITV News was invited to D'Auvergne School to see what schools will look like when they re-open.

D'Auvergne is one of many island schools to have remained open throughout lockdown to care for key workers' children. They have already had time to re-adjust to the new normal, which includes physically distanced classrooms, classes split into bubbles, one-way systems in the corridors and stringent hygiene measures.

The Headteacher at D'Auvergne, Sam Cooper, says the children have adapted very well to the new learning environment.

Sam Cooper, Headteacher at D'Auvergne School says children have adapted brilliantly.

In anticipation of the return of a full Year 6, which will nearly double the number of children currently in attendance, the school's main hall has been converted to a class room to allow for physical distancing.

Children will be given coloured wrist bands, which will determine which rooms they can be in, even which loos they can use, in order to minimise any possibility of cross-contamination.

Children we spoke to said they had got used to the new safety measures, but that school is not quite what it used to be.

Oliver Gardner, a Year 3 pupil, told us how the games they play have had to change.

Oliver Gardner (Year 3) says games have had to change.
Georgia McCormick (Year 5) has enjoyed the new working environment.

Georgia McCormick, who is in Year 5 has enjoyed working in smaller classes, and having less children around.

For Luis Serra having less friends to play with has been the biggest challenge.

Luis Serra (Year 3) has missed not having more friends to play with.

The return of the rest of D'Auvergne's Year 6 pupils will bring the number of students at the school up to more than 90, out of a total of 493, provided those who can, do return.

Mr Cooper is urging any parents with concerns to trust in the safety measures in place, and send their children back wherever possible.