Ysgol Brynhyfryd was the first school in Wales to close because of the coronavirus threat. Like all schools, it reopened this morning. Here are some observations from the sidelines.
1. There was much, much more traffic around this morning. Most of it passed the school's entrance and did not go in. Perhaos parents were also heading for the Glasdir schools and Ysgol Borthin. It's almost as if traffic has to get back to normal, thanks to all schools returning. And this in spite of only about one fifth of learners returning each day.
2. There were far fewer pupils walking through town. Obviously, not everyone was in school—far from it—but even so pedestrian activity was way lower than expected.
3. Those arriving on school coaches, buses and taxis was low, with a number of vehicles carrying no one at all. It seemed that parents who had expressed a preference for school transport had changed their minds. There was about twice the number of buses/taxis to students travelling on them.
4. The system in school was well thought out and controlled, with signage and with copious staff to ensure distancing.
5. The head teacher was at the entrance on traffic point duty.
Parents of about 500 pupils had indicated that their children would return. That's half the school roll but actually about two thirds when you take away fifth and upper sixth formers, none of whom return—they've finished school. So, 500/750 is a good ratio of returners. If spread over five days, it equates to roughly 100 per day. If they all turn up.
UPDATE 30/6/20
Staff at school were much less prominent this morning. It was as if, having gone out in large numbers on Monday, they had realised they didn't need to. Or, perhaps, Day 1 was always going to be an experience to savour on the yard as pupils returned. On Day 2, much was left to one of the caretakers to organise.
1. There was much, much more traffic around this morning. Most of it passed the school's entrance and did not go in. Perhaos parents were also heading for the Glasdir schools and Ysgol Borthin. It's almost as if traffic has to get back to normal, thanks to all schools returning. And this in spite of only about one fifth of learners returning each day.
2. There were far fewer pupils walking through town. Obviously, not everyone was in school—far from it—but even so pedestrian activity was way lower than expected.
Lloyd's Coaches laid on a double decker to and from Dinbych, just like Arriva used to. There were three pupils on board and two adult fare payers
3. Those arriving on school coaches, buses and taxis was low, with a number of vehicles carrying no one at all. It seemed that parents who had expressed a preference for school transport had changed their minds. There was about twice the number of buses/taxis to students travelling on them.
4. The system in school was well thought out and controlled, with signage and with copious staff to ensure distancing.
5. The head teacher was at the entrance on traffic point duty.
Parents of about 500 pupils had indicated that their children would return. That's half the school roll but actually about two thirds when you take away fifth and upper sixth formers, none of whom return—they've finished school. So, 500/750 is a good ratio of returners. If spread over five days, it equates to roughly 100 per day. If they all turn up.
UPDATE 30/6/20
Staff at school were much less prominent this morning. It was as if, having gone out in large numbers on Monday, they had realised they didn't need to. Or, perhaps, Day 1 was always going to be an experience to savour on the yard as pupils returned. On Day 2, much was left to one of the caretakers to organise.