LESSONS FROM LOCKDOWN

Jane Prescott, Headmistress Portsmouth High School GDST

The Japanese term Kintsugi which means golden hosting online collaborations, but they understand the joinery, comes from their art of repairing importance of the mute button, for example, and something broken into an object of greater choosing suitable backgrounds. beauty. Making something go from useless to priceless. This pandemic has shown us something similar. There Those students who were released from the pressures of public examinations may feel relieved, but also aggrieved has been unbelievable loss and tragedy. However, that their end result is determined by the achievement of families have found they have the time for walks and their predecessors because of the possibility that the final talks in a way that their busy lives did not allow before grade is based on how well previous cohorts performed –lockdown. Children have been able to take life at a they cannot change the past, but it influences their future. slower pace too, and enjoy more art activities and However, they have had time to embark on virtual pre baking, for example. Time courses which arguably prepare gained from not having to them better for their next stage. commute any further than the bedroom to the kitchen is put to use in other ways. Relatives have “met” with their families on a more regular basis, and whilst spending time online may not be their place of choice, it has provided a greater opportunity to catch up with family news. Pub quizzes have brought groups together along with challenges that raise money for charity. We have all made a greater effort to stay in touch. Whilst gyms have remained closed, everyone has taken advantage of the good weather by getting out at least for their daily walk, and in many cases for much more of a work out. Older children may end their day with exercise and a nation has tuned to Joe Wicks’ and others’ daily routines. Taking time and effort to ensure life is not too sedentary has been a focus for many. We may eat more in lockdown, but most of us Schools have faced so many are trying hard to balance that challenges in the last few excess with activity. months. Parents have become assistant teachers if their children are young, and even teenagers have required more intervention than they would have normally needed from their parents. It has been difficult not to hug friends and family, and even to see them in person if they are not local. This, along with other measures has meant children have developed a resilience to the changes that are part of Children have learned new skills during lockdown and normal life. Children on the whole have adopted the families have discovered family time, not normally new way of living with remarkable ease, and their possible in busy households. Pupils are taking part in adaptability is beyond what we would have expected. online face to face lessons giving them an insight in The global pandemic is not a situation that anyone working from home and virtual meetings. They know would want repeated but good has risen out of the bad. how to stay motivated, and whether this way of working I hope the future keeps some of the slower, less rushed would suit them. Previously they may have seen parents aspects we have all enjoyed.

ST JOHN’S COLLEGE MAKES FAR-REACHING CHANGES FOR TOMORROW’S WORLD In a world where children are being educated for jobs that do not currently exist, it is vital that learning establishments adapt their curriculums to meet these needs. St John’s College in Southsea is doing just that!

From September 2020, The Lower School to have secure subject knowledge, but they (Reception to Year 4) will see students also must be able to work together, be start their learning journey, with a flexible and adaptable in a fast-moving curriculum based on child-led development world, where jobs they could be doing have and discovery. In the Middle School (Year 5 not yet been created. Academic success is of to Year 8), students will study a wider course imperative, but students also need curriculum offering variety, challenge and resilience, initiative and curiosity to succeed social development, whilst using technology in the workplace. Our aim is to create world to enhance their learning. Throughout Senior ready learners who can cope seamlessly with School (Year 9 to Year 13), the academic the challenges thrown at them in this everfocus will be developed as students prepare changing world. Recent weeks have shown for GCSE, A Level exams and life beyond St that our students already have developed John’s College as global citizens. some of these skills to a high level.”

The changes come to ensure that St John’s College is at the cutting edge of the independent sector, equipping students with key life skills and a life-long love of learning. In light of the recent COVID-19 crisis, digital skills have become even more important. Since lockdown, students have benefitted from up to 5 hours of face to face lessons per day via Microsoft TEAMS. Mrs Mary Maguire, Head of College commented, “This is an exciting opportunity for St John’s College. Our young people need In addition to this work on their core education focus, St John’s College has announced a further development in their international links by joining with a partner in China to establish ten St John’s High Schools over the next ten years. As the only boarding school in Portsmouth, the College will also continue to develop a diverse and truly international Boarding Community, giving students the opportunity to learn about different cultures in their city centre campus. Mrs Maguire added, “There is an urgent need to update education systems to equip children with the skills to navigate the future of work and the future of societies. I am proud that St John’s College is modernising how we educate our students.”