Coronavirus: Teachers and care staff at Kisimul School, Swinderby, hailed heroes by parents

Teachers and care staff at a specialist school and children’s home for young people with complex needs have been hailed as heroes by parents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pupils at Kisimul School, Swinderby, who have autism and severe learning disabilities, have benefited from creative ways of learning.

Students have learnt about the need for social isolation so that they can stay safe through their current learning about the 1940s.

Using their interest in the television show Dr Who, pupils have created a Tardis to go back in time to experience life during the second world war.

They have built Anderson shelters and learnt how some young people stayed away from crowds and moved away from cities to stay safe during the war, helping them to better understand the current situation that they and the country are in.

Children have also been taught how germs spread when hands aren’t washed properly and how they live on surfaces even when they are invisible.

In addition, the school and children’s home staff have rallied together to ensure enough staff are on site to take care of these vulnerable pupils, with some staff members choosing to live away from their own families so they can safely keep caring for the children and young people at the school through the lockdown.

Emma Sanderson, director at Kisimul, said: “Our staff and their families have made huge personal sacrifices these past few weeks to make sure our pupils remain safe.

“Not only have some staff chosen to live apart from their families during this time to help prevent spreading the virus, they are working extra hours, using their time off to go shopping for young people with special dietary needs, and going far beyond the call of duty.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this fantastic, dedicated team of key workers and it’s especially heart-warming to hear the overwhelming gratitude and thanks from our young people’s parents who have said they really are heroes caring for their children who would otherwise be very vulnerable during this time.”

One parent said: “We would like to express our sincere thanks to all Kisimul staff for their continued compassion and support towards our child and us as parents.”

Staff have also had to improvise on physical outdoor activities to keep the school in line with current covid-19 measures.

Head Toni Woods said: “Our pupils usually do a lot of outdoor activities and excursions, and it’s difficult for them to understand why they can’t do their favourite activities at the moment.

“Horse riding, swimming, rebound therapy, and visits to their favourite cafés have all ceased, so we are improvising with activities on the school grounds.

“We have been outside planting herb and vegetable gardens and used this to learn about climate change and what we can do to promote a healthy environment, participated in Joe Wick’s PE lessons, and had fun Easter egg hunts.

“The national lockdown has a had a huge impact on children and young people across the UK and the rest of the world and is especially tough for those with complex needs who struggle to understand the necessary changes to their routines.

“This is why we should thank those teachers and care workers whose heroic efforts are helping these vulnerable young people and keeping them safe through this difficult period.”

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