COVID-19 has brought challenges to every aspect of our daily lives but among those who’ve faced some of the biggest hurdles are Cumbria’s dedicated and inspiring teachers.

It’s been an ever-changing picture and the largest disruption to education in recent history.

With a need to see pupils return to school, huge changes have been made to ensure youngsters could continue their education throughout the pandemic.

When Prime Minister Boris Johnston announced unprecedented measures of a UK national lockdown in March, schools closed to all pupils and school hubs were set up for vulnerable pupils and children of key workers.

In June primary schools opened to reception, year 1 and year 6 and in secondary schools, those in year 10 and 12 were invited to have some face-to-face contact with their teachers.

Mr Johnston then confirmed all schools would return in September.

Teachers worked tirelessly to deliver remote working during lockdown and then to put measures in place to ensure pupils could safely return to their desks after the summer holidays.

School days have been altered, classrooms rearranged and year-group bubbles created to minimise the risk of infection.

And now, as the Government tries to get a grip as the virus, there will be a staggered return for secondary schools after the Christmas break to enable a roll out of mass testing.

For Longtown Primary School teacher Allison Kenyon, this has been the most challenging yet rewarding year of her career.

The year four teacher has praised the way children have adapted to their new normal and said working as part of a close-knit team has been a helped boost morale.

“This has been one of the most challenging and rewarding years of my teaching career so far. When I worked from home at the beginning of the first lockdown there was a real sense of loss for the buzz of being in a classroom," she said.

“The children really do make the job worthwhile and I missed catching up with them and watching their learning progress.

“Coming back in September, although it has been different, was brilliant and it has certainly helped me to cope with the second lockdown as I feel like I am doing something worthwhile to support the community."

Mrs Kenyon said operating as a school hub was initially very strange. Having less children and not being able to mix took a bit of getting used to for everybody, she said.

As the school prepared to welcome children back she was nervous about the impact of the new normal but says the changes Covid-19 has brought have been a lot less difficult than she first imagined and have made her more creative as a teacher.

“The children in general have coped so well with what has been a very turbulent and unpredictable year. Seeing them walk back into school on the first day in September was incredible - the smiles on their faces said it all,” she said.

“Some children have said being away from school for so long has made them appreciate learning and going to school every day.

“For children who have found it harder to cope, we are lucky at Longtown to have our Ark Nurture Provision to help them make sense of their feelings and emotions.”

Longtown Primary School has changed layouts, organised break times and home time, changed the way lunch is served and holds a weekly assembly using Teams, all the while ensuring high standards of hygiene are met.

Acting headteacher Lauren Hitchen said she was “so proud of every member of staff” who have gone “over and beyond their roles” to provide a safe and secure environment for children while providing fun, exciting and challenging education.

“Every member of staff showcases our trust values of respect, responsibility and resilience,” she said. “The strengths they have showcased during this time have enabled the school days to run smoothly and efficiently whilst allowing children to be the best they can be.”

She said that taking on the role of acting headteacher, she could never have envisaged what 2020 would bring, adding: “There is nothing like being chucked in at the deep end but I can honestly say I have relished in it all.”

The school has been supported by Cumbria Education Trust to organise and prepared to ensure the best possible education for pupils.

“We are extremely lucky to be part of such a wonderful community,” said Mrs Hitchen.