New Portsmouth school celebrates its first day – as pupils get used to new normal

Last year, The Thinking Schools Academy Trust announced it would merge its Isambard Brunel Junior School and Meredith Infant School, on same site in Portchester Road, catering for pupils aged four to 11.

Headteacher Lucy Carroll said the task of merging the schools in the middle of pandemic was ‘overwhelming’ at first - but proved to be proved to be a ‘powerful’ bonding experience for staff meeting for the first time.

Lucy said: ‘When we went into lockdown there was an overwhelming sense of responsibility to get things right.

‘The biggest support has been from the trust. They have been incredible digesting the government’s guidance.

‘The Department of Education has sent out a daily update – you couldn’t expect someone to get through all the information.’

But the launch of the school left the headteacher smiling: ‘It’s been amazing.

‘I was really determined to make it a community focused day where every member of staff would be out.

‘We have lovely families and an amazing team.’

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Years One and Six returned on June 1 for some lessons, with the school also supporting up to 20 children with key worker parents.

But the rest of the pupils returned according to a staggered timetable to find floor stickers to aid social distancing, anti-bacterial bottles, and there own water bottles that will stay in school and be sterilised every day.

And the measures left anxious parents feeling much more reassured, according to dad Matt Legge, who was alongside his wife Jennifer to drop off their five-year-old twins, Carter and Cleo.

He said: ‘The school has been fantastic at keeping us updated with how they will keep the kids safe.

‘It feels good to be going back to normal – we’re very happy and very relieved.’

Blanie Glancy, five, said he was is ‘very excited’ but ‘a bit nervous’ to be back at school after being at home since March.

Raiz Jabaed, six, had to spend a week in hospital at the start of the year due to his asthma and a chest infection. Dad Abdul said: ‘It’s been tough with Covid - but we feel safe with him going back to school. I feel the school will be on top of it. He’s been looking forward to being back.’

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