Benenden has today started to welcome pupils back to its site.
Since 23 March, before the UK Government announced nation-wide lockdown, every girl at Benenden has been conducting her lessons remotely through Microsoft Teams, with the vast majority of these being taught live by teachers.
This arrangement is continuing for the rest of the term but from today, girls in the Fifth and Six One who live close enough to attend on a day basis are able to return to School if they choose to.
On the first day of this arrangement, a handful of girls from the two year groups have chosen to return to School where they can be with their friends and where their day of remote learning is overseen by a member of staff.
It has been lovely to welcome them back and they have thoroughly enjoyed being with their friends again – and of course being reunited with the School’s wonderful food!
There are extensive measures in place to ensure staff and pupils are protected. The girls spend the day in year group bubbles and upon arrival each morning, they have their temperatures taken by staff in personal protective equipment before following a designated route to their assigned classrooms. Social distancing measures are in place around the site, extra cleaning is in operation throughout the day and hand sanitiser is available.
Benenden’s remote provision has been enormously successful. In addition to lessons, girls have participated in workshops from external experts and given presentations through Teams. Assemblies have continued with a mixture of live and pre-recorded talks, while fitness videos and online music tuition have ensured that we can keep school life continuing as normally as possible in the circumstances.
Following the cancellation of GCSE and A Level exams, we put together a dedicated programme for the Upper Fifth and Six Two involving lectures, preparation sessions for the next stage of their education and practical life skills.
We have also signed up to the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) Covid-Safe Charter, for more information on this please see here .