Reflecting on lockdown as a central theme of their end-of-year play, nine Class 10 students, aged 15 and 16, rehearsed and performed a play on radio re-telling the story of Anne Frank, the young diarist and World War Two Holocaust victim.

During the Nazi occupation of Holland, Anne and her Jewish family had to live in hidden rooms to avoid being sent to the concentration camps. Teenage Anne kept a diary of her thoughts and experiences in hiding. Sadly, she and her family were found and sent to Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. Only her father survived.

“Because of lockdown, the students can now identify with Anne Frank’s story in a whole new way,” said English teacher and play director Nancy Urry. “We realised that it was going to be impossible to rehearse a play as usual and perform to a live audience.”

Instead the school recorded it for parents to hear. “It is also really important for the students to be able to work together and it’s been a great learning experience for the class,” added Nancy Urry.

Other imaginative solutions to learning at the school since lockdown have included an outdoor classroom in a marquee in the field and using the school hall to house a group of keyworker children. With the school located next to Ringwood Forest, nature walks have also been a favourite activity, and in the kindergartens, two small bubbles of children have built dens and enjoyed craft lessons.

Chair of the School Management Team, Geli Patrick, said, “We are looking forward to September and making preparations for a full return of pupils and staff in line with government guidance.”