Brenchley and Matfield Primary School in Tonbridge starts 'Rainbow Library' to welcome children back after lockdown
13:18, 06 July 2020
updated: 13:51, 06 July 2020
A colourful display of pictures and school work has been put on show at a primary school in Tonbridge working to ease students back after lockdown.
Brenchley and Matfield Primary now has a 'Rainbow Library', an outside area where children can go to choose books and display the hard work they have been busy creating from home.
Children from different year groups are invited to the school at staggered times throughout the week to select two books while getting used to new measures introduced in classrooms and corridors.
Charley Miller, the teacher behind the initiative says she hopes the new library will help ease anxieties children might have about returning to school.
The year five teacher said: "It gives the pupils a chance to see the school, their teachers and their friends while getting used to how everything works now because some of them haven't been here for three months.
"There has understandably been quite a lot of anxiety about the return so we're hoping this will help to ease any concerns the children and their parents might have. It shows them the school is still the same, only with a few new changes.
"There's now a one way system in place along with social distancing lines. It shows them how to practice things that might be the new normal for a little while."
While at the library, children are encouraged to use gloves before touching the books and place them in the returns box when finished which sits in isolation for 72 hours.
Mrs Miller added: "There's a real push for reading at the moment and we understand that some children might not be able to read as much at home.
"This is another reason why we started this, it's a good way to encourage children to keep reading and keep learning while away from the school so it's not a huge shock to them when they come back."
The school on Brenchley Road is currently open to some children in reception, year one and year six.
It hopes to welcome back other year groups for two days before the summer holidays.
