Lockdown diary

2020 will no doubt go down in history as one of the most challenging years for schools globally. Wolverhampton Grammar School has a great tradition of recording school life for future generations. This year is no different and this edition of The Independent will help us keep a record of our experiences.

Our social media channels also provide a visual account of the last few months. You can see what we’ve been up to on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Here’s a reminder of some of the more memorable moments.

April

Thursday 9th April – The School is illuminated in blue and green as we all begin clapping for the NHS, carers and key workers.

The School flag on Big School is also replaced with a Clap for our NHS flag.

March

Monday 23rd March – Boris Johnson announces lockdown. The School campus is closed to students. All teaching and learning is immediately available and delivered online as home study. Children of key workers are the only students allowed in School for lessons. All GCSE and A Level examinations are cancelled.

Monday 30th March - Virtual Assemblies begin across School.

May

Monday 4th May – The School community “gets active” with a specially themed week.

June

Monday 1st June – Year 6 return to campus and Sixth Form preparation work begins for Year 11 students.

Monday 8th June – Live tutorials begin for Lower Sixth students.

Tuesday 16th June – School uniform shop and Premier Sports reopen for parents.

Thursday 18th June - The School hosts its first Virtual Open Evening.

Monday 22nd June – Years 3, 4 and 5 return to campus. Years 7, 8 and 9 attend some tutorials in School. Project Week begins in School.

Thursday 26th June - Additional academic workshops begin in School for Lower Sixth students.

August

Thursday 13th August – Sixth Form results published online for the first time for Upper Sixth. Take a look at page 3 to read more about their success.

Monday 17th August – the Class of 2020 Yearbooks are sent out in the post to Upper Sixth families. Socially distanced iPad inductions begin in Big School for new students arriving in Years 7, 8 and 9.

Thursday 20th August – IGCSE/GCSE results published online for Year 11. 87 students studied towards an incredible 824 GCSE and IGCSE awards. Read more on page 3.

Friday 22nd May - Home Learning Reports are issued by School for the first time in our 508 year history.

July

From Friday 3rd July - Additional academic workshops are available in School for Year 10.

Monday 6th July – Activities Week begins for students in Years 7 to 10 and Lower Sixth. Year 11 students are invited into School to see staff. Actor, comedian, director and author, Ben Miller entertains students via Zoom for an author masterclass.

Tuesday 7th July – Lower Sixth have their first virtual Parents’ Evening.

Wednesday 8th July – Junior School Speech Day is delivered virtually, with a "well done" message from BBC Newsround. Upper Sixth are invited into School to say goodbye to staff (for now) and receive their official School scarf.

Thursday 9th July – Virtual Senior Prizegiving for Year 11 and Upper Sixth students with a "good luck" message from former student and broadcaster Sean Farrington, from the BBC Breakfast sofa.

September

Tuesday 1st September – All staff return to campus for INSET day.

Wednesday 2nd September – Year 7 and Lower Sixth students begin their induction.

Thursday 3rd September – All year groups return to School campus.