This is St.Mary Magdalene Academy, a secondary school in North London. The school, together with all schools in UK, was closed according to the government guidelines during most of the academic year of 2020-21. The photographs were taken during the third lockdown and just before the school re-opened at the beginning of March.
Staff put together a huge effort in setting up a Covid test centre in the school since January 2021. It was used to test teachers, staff members and students just before they went back to school when the school re-opened on March 9th. On the testing days, parents volunteered to help with the running of the test. In the photographs you see the school while still closed and staff, parents and some of the students from year 7, 8 and 12.
8.30am
8.30am
8.45am
8.45am
Teachers haven’t stopped working throughout all lockdowns
Teachers haven’t stopped working throughout all lockdowns
9.45am
9.45am
Sixth form, 10.45am
Sixth form, 10.45am
11.00am
11.00am
11.45am
11.45am
12.00pm
12.00pm
12.30pm
12.30pm
13.00pm
13.00pm
14.00pm
14.00pm
14.30pm
14.30pm
The new rules
The new rules
Lunch Time
Lunch Time
Waiting for customers..
Waiting for customers..
Lunch time
Lunch time
One of the few students to study at school
One of the few students to study at school
Members of Staff and Parent volunteers on the first day of testing during the 3rd lockdown
Members of Staff and Parent volunteers on the first day of testing during the 3rd lockdown
Ewelina, Odna and Catia, have been testing members of staff and recently the students
Ewelina, Odna and Catia, have been testing members of staff and recently the students
Ewelina is performing the test
Ewelina is performing the test
“We’ve been testing since January”
“We’ve been testing since January”
“We haven’t had any positive tests”
“We haven’t had any positive tests”
Registration first
Registration first
Getting ready to be tested
Getting ready to be tested
All tested students are added on the register
All tested students are added on the register
Waiting to be tested
Waiting to be tested
Almost there..
Almost there..
Beau: “It’s scary to be back”
Beau: “It’s scary to be back”
Daniel: “I didn’t mind the test”
Daniel: “I didn’t mind the test”
Adam: “It has to be done”
Adam: “It has to be done”
Tom: “It’s nice to be back”
Tom: “It’s nice to be back”
Daniel: “I reckon being back is going to be good”
Daniel: “I reckon being back is going to be good”
Kristijana: “It’s going to be weird and kind of hard being back. At home is relaxed, teachers don’t pick on you”. Eva: “At home you can be in your pyjamas, no make up to wear. I am nervous coming back”
Kristijana: “It’s going to be weird and kind of hard being back. At home is relaxed, teachers don’t pick on you”. Eva: “At home you can be in your pyjamas, no make up to wear. I am nervous coming back”
Elliot: “At home you are freer to do whatever you want”. Stanley: “It’s better to be at school than home”
Elliot: “At home you are freer to do whatever you want”. Stanley: “It’s better to be at school than home”
Maggie: “I’d rather be online but I’ll be able to focus more being back”. Milena: “It’s ok but I prefer online”
Maggie: “I’d rather be online but I’ll be able to focus more being back”. Milena: “It’s ok but I prefer online”
IMG_4796
IMG_4796
Monique and Adam: “Good to be back, it gets boring at home”.
Monique and Adam: “Good to be back, it gets boring at home”.
Alejandra: “Good to be back”. Emily: “I missed school, good to be back”.
Alejandra: “Good to be back”. Emily: “I missed school, good to be back”.
Shelby: “Good to be back”. Charlie: “Weird to be back after so long”
Shelby: “Good to be back”. Charlie: “Weird to be back after so long”
Lewi: “Better to be at school than online”. Ramil: “Much better than online”. Mayonna: “Very excited to be coming back”
Lewi: “Better to be at school than online”. Ramil: “Much better than online”. Mayonna: “Very excited to be coming back”
Matteo: “I don’t mind coming back”. James: “I am excited”. Emilia: “I kind want to stay home but I kind want to come back too”
Matteo: “I don’t mind coming back”. James: “I am excited”. Emilia: “I kind want to stay home but I kind want to come back too”