Leeds teachers ensuring pupils don't miss out on lessons during coronavirus lockdown

Dedicated teachers at the school have set up their own youtube channel and are producing fun, creative and educational content to try and support children at home during isolation.

The aim of the channel, called Yeadon Westfield Early Years, is to help parents with practical and manageable ways to help children without using worksheets and it’s proving to be a huge hit with the children including ex-pupils in Australia who have also been logging on.

The channel is the brainchild of reception teacher Sarah Sharp, who was already considering setting up a school phonics channel to support parents.

With the onset of lockdown the idea quickly developed into a home learning channel for a variety of learning needs.

Channel content includes crafts, stories, quizzes, phonics, outdoor activities, numeracy and science, all delivered by teachers from Westfield Infants.

Some of the teachers have even roped in their own children and dogs to help in order to keep the content engaging and fun.

Mrs Sharp said: “This started as a simple idea which has really taken off over the past week or so and the feedback we’ve received from parents and pupils has been amazing.

"The children think it’s fantastic that they can see and learn from their teacher in their own living rooms and it provides some routine and structure for them during a very unsettling time.

“Home schooling can be a daunting task for parents so this is a good way in which to help parents keep their childrens’ motivation levels up and to make it fun and educational at the same time. We’ve tried to come up with a range of activities for all ages as well as ways for parents to join in too if they wish.”

Headteacher Dawn Lowry, said: “Like all schools we closed following government advice for the majority of our pupils, but remain open for a handful of children whose parents are key workers. For all our amazing children who are not in school this is an inventive way for us to stay connected with them and to help them keep up with their learning whilst still seeing the friendly faces of their teachers from school.”

Visit the channel at https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Yeadon+Westfield+Early+Years