BSN safely welcomes back senior students

This last week, Senior School Leidschenveen (SSL) and Senior School Voorschoten (SSV) opened their classrooms again after being closed for 12 weeks.  Three weeks of logistical planning has given a safe start for our students. We are combining the best of distance- and in-classroom learning to ensure BSN’s high academic standards are kept.  

Join Headteacher Senior School Leidschenveen, James Oxlade, on a quick virtual tour of the campus with social distancing measures in place. 

Creativity, Calmness, and Clarity  

The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) of the BSN focused on the planning, implementation, and communication of safe procedures, while teachers offered their subject-specific expertise in the immediate lead up to the students' return.     

Paul Topping, Headteacher Senior School Voorschoten (SSV),

Staff have been remarkable in their positivity, creativeness and goodwill. It is a huge privilege to work amongst such professionalism.

 

Protecting the wellbeing and stress levels of the teaching staff is a priority for the SLT to ensure that the teachers will be able to do what they do best: deliver high-quality schooling and pastoral care to students.  

Head of Spanish SSV, Eirian Xerri, shared that she felt anxious about returning to campus but was immediately put at ease by the relaxed and attentive presence of the SLT.   

Both SSV and SSV have provided parents and students with full details on their preparations, timetabling, and the requirements on quarantine and sickness through the school’s intranet, Gateway. Students received video tours which led them through their return, and how to find the right entrance for their class! 

Clear markings ensure safety in lessons with a practical element,  as is seen in the Art classroom at SSV  (Photo by Graham Rogerson, Head of Art SSV) 

Best of both worlds: Integrated Microsoft Teams and classroom teaching 

To ensure safe social distancing is kept, students are welcome on campus on alternate days. Each class is split into two groups with one-half of the students on campus one day and the other half the next day. These half classes are called ‘alpha’ and ‘beta’. While one group is at home, they are required to follow the in-classroom lessons online (through Microsoft Teams and Canva).  

Xerri shared that her first lesson with her Year 12 International Baccalaureate (IB) students exceeded her expectations, saying that it felt like they were all together in the classroom even though the alpha students were joining through Teams.  

Teacher, Senior School Leidschenveen (SSL),

It’s been great to see the students back in school. We have all had to adapt to a new situation – but it’s a new challenge which has brought opportunities and opened new doors for students and teachers.

 

Student wellbeing and mental health top priority  

Students are invited, but not required if they or their parents are uncomfortable, to return to in-classroom schooling. Fortunately, both senior school campuses are large and spacious enough that most families feel safe in choosing their child to return to campus.  

James Oxlade, Headteacher Senior School Leidschenveen (SSL),

It has been a really positive start for the students judging by the number of smiles and comments I have seen and heard throughout today.  As always this is down to our staff and the commitment they show to the students and to each other.

Senior School Leidschenveen socially distanced classroom. 

School counsellors are available, both on-campus and online via Microsoft Teams, for students to make appointments to receive professional mental and emotional support. The teaching staff has also made themselves available to parents to offer advice on how to best support their child(ren) on their return to school. 

At the start of their return students were given sufficient time to reconnect with their peers and teachers and to talk about their school campus closure experiences.  

James Lloyd, Assistant Headteacher – Key Stage 5 and Communications SSV, said the atmosphere in Sixth Form common room was calm and vibrant, with the Year 12s’ first hour starting with a fun Microsoft Teams assembly allowing for all students, at home, and in-classroom, to be together.  

Student, Senior School Leidschenveen, 

It’s great seeing old, familiar faces - it’s a bit weird but it’s definitely good to be back.

Through hard work, communication, creativity, compassion and careful planning, the return to campus for staff and students has been in a safe and caring environment, while maintaining high academic standards. 

Search for #BSNTogether on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see our COVID19-era learning in-action.