STAFF and children at Oldham Alexandra Park Junior school made the most of the snowy weather which accompanied the new national lockdown.

Schools across the borough have scrambled to make both those at home and in school have the best provision.

Samantha Nicholson-Hickling, a Year 5 member of staff and teachers' union representative, said: "We already had some online learning tools for the children as we have been providing remote learning to those isolating since September.

"It has been a case of making sure everyone has access to this at home and getting our key workers/vulnerable lists together for in school provision.

"I think we've done what we should have and have provided learning similar to what we would have continued in school. Obviously, not everything can go ahead as planned, but pupils don't miss out.

"From a union perspective it's been handled fantastically and I'm really proud to be working here in a place where not only the children are safe but the staff are too. Everyone's welfare is managed which is not something that is easy to balance."

The school in Brook Lane is providing home learning for children in line with the National Curriculum with all topics covered, Samantha said.

A mix of resources have been provided as well from the Oak Academy, White Rose Maths and BBC Bitesize.

Children in school are working in smaller bubbles for their safety but till working with familiar adults from their year group. Those at home without devices have been provided devices.

Working in a pandemic doesn't have to stop the fun, with PE lessons, Art, Science and even outdoor learning till continuing.

Not even the snow could limit the children's love of learning this week, with fun had building snowmen on the playground during regular break times.

While everything in school is different, the children are still enjoying themselves. One Year 5 child said: "I love being in school. It's better than being at home. I miss my friends and wish they were here but I still tell my Mum how much I've enjoyed my lessons in the bubble."

Pupils at home also have access to their teachers via the online learning platform and are given feedback quickly by regular adults to encourage their development while at home.

From next week, the school is trialling live lessons through Microsoft Teams so that pupils are able to join in lessons that are happening in the classroom.

Headteacher Mrs Jennifer Seabright said: "Our ethos at Alexandra Park Junior School is 'To Learn, to be safe (happy) and achieve our very best' and this has remained forever prevalent throughout these ever changing times.

Together children, parents, staff and governors have kept themselves and others as safe as can be, looked after one another, continued to provide and improve a high quality and engaging curriculum where our children thrive in their learning tried our very best without giving up.

"We are an amazing, determined and resilient community that I am very proud of indeed."