THURROCK Nub News popped in to one of the borough's village primary schools today (Tuesday, 9 March) to meet Head of School Mrs Deborah Bradley and find out how they are coping with the return of all the classes.

Horndon, which is part of the Osborne Academy Trust, has been open throughout the pandemic, looking after vulnerable children and those who are key workers, but yesterday opened its doors to all the children of the village and beyond.

The Church of England School, which dates back to 1847, has seven classes and its original Victorian building now houses a nursery where the school offers wrap around care.

Mrs Bradley explained some of the procedures the school has put in place to ensure safety: "We have changed the arrangement of classes, children now sit at desks facing the front, rather than in groups so they are distanced even in class. They eat in their classrooms or outside when the weather is amenable as our school hall is too small to ensure safe social distancing.

"The children are grouped in bubbles and we we ensure those bubbles are kept apart from each other when the children break for play, the playground is divided up into areas so they can keep inside their own bubbles.

"Teachers and staff are masked at all times and we follow all the recommendations. Even the corridors are kept bare, normally we would have them full of the children's work and achievements but we don't want them to stop and touch them so it's now totally functional and we have a one way system around the school..

"The children have already adapted, they are wonderful and it is so great to have them all back. We've had a good record during the pandemic, just two cases since it started and I am sure we will continue to ensure that we we look after them and they are in in the best and safest place possible here. "

You can find out more about Horndon on the Hill Primary via its website. If you are interested in the nursery and wraparound care provision, call the school on 01375 673260 or email [email protected]