MALDON'S Plume Academy has welcomed back students this week as the first round of lockdown restrictions is lifted.

Principal Carl Wakefield said there was a “real buzz in the air” as students and staff alike were pleased to see each other after a year of disruptions.

After sanitising and putting their masks on, students sat in on a virtual assembly for an explanation on how the next few weeks would proceed before the end of term.

He said: “The sound of chatter and laughter was everywhere and my colleagues and I were so happy to engage in our own conversations with students from across all year groups.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Left to right - Year 7 pupils Gracie Richardson, Iris Masters, Harry West, and Year 8 Calum Hayden-NickollsLeft to right - Year 7 pupils Gracie Richardson, Iris Masters, Harry West, and Year 8 Calum Hayden-Nickolls

“Our lateral flow testing programme then continued with students who were unable to attend our mass testing day on Friday and which saw another 100 more tested, bringing our overall total to 1,200.

“By testing on such a massive scale in one go last week, we were able to bring all of our students back today to make sure they receive a full three weeks of uninterrupted teaching between now and the end of term.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: More than 200 Year 9 Plume students taking their second mass testing sessionMore than 200 Year 9 Plume students taking their second mass testing session

He added: “At a time when there is a great deal of ‘noise’ out there about catch-up, longer school days, shorter summer holidays and this ‘Covid generation’ will lose out on so much in the future, what is important is we pay due respect to the adversity these young people and their families have had to overcome.

“They have embraced continual change and turmoil thus showing tremendous resilience in abundance.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Year 7 pupils Summer-Louise Fairchild, Verity Williamson, and Archie JonesYear 7 pupils Summer-Louise Fairchild, Verity Williamson, and Archie Jones

“We should simply let them enjoy seeing their friends, benefitting from those all-important social interactions, enjoying the company of their teaching and support staff, attending their extra-curricular clubs and activities and settling into a routine, all of which they’ve told me they’ve missed greatly since the end of the Autumn term.

“What remarkable young people they are and how incredibly proud I am to know and work alongside them.”