It was not quite the start of term schools expected but Leehurst Swan said it was’ running with it!’

The Salisbury school has moved to comprehensive, online learning with a full timetable for all pupils.

“Absence of school does not equate to an absence of high-quality and engaged learning, and our dedicated teaching staff are pulling out all the stops to provide a full timetable of lessons.

“Our doors continue to open to support vulnerable children and the children of key workers, with face-to-face learning, enabling our parents who are NHS front-line workers to focus on saving lives, safe in the knowledge their children are being educated and looked after for as long as is required,” a school spokesperson said.

Voluntary, lateral flow testing has been set up in school and headmaster Mr Ayres is ‘on the front line’, ensuring staff, Year 11 pupils sitting International GCSE examinations and vulnerable children, and those of key workers, are regularly tested.

“The year has not quite started as we planned, but we remain optimistic that, with this third lockdown, and the vaccination process well and truly underway, we will start to see the number of cases decline and our corridors and classrooms will be filled once again with children’s chatter, laughter and energy.”