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Students are regaining a sense of normality by attending virtual lessons with their teachers.

Since the partial school shutdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic, schools have been working to find new ways to communicate with and inspire their children.

Teachers at Epping St John’s Church of England School have been setting work tasks online and keeping in touch via email and phone.

But, the school is now taking its virtual teaching a step further to give both students and teachers even greater access to each other.

Students are now able to attend actual lessons carried out by their teachers via Microsoft Teams online.

Lessons are being taught online in French, computer science, English, Spanish, history, science, art, philosophy and ethics, business, media, geography, PE, maths and psychology.

Students are sent an invite to log in to a class where they can watch PowerPoints, view resources and upload their work.

There is an opportunity for students to ask their teachers questions at the end of each session, giving them instant access to support and guidance.

Flora Christofi, head of sixth form, is leading the trial with 30-minute lessons with Year 12 students.

She said: “Our students are missing direct contact with their teachers. They were previously being set work online and then emailing their teachers with any questions, but they want a bit more. So, we are now delivering lessons online and continuing to teach the curriculum.

“We miss having contact with our students as much as they are missing their lessons. They just want us to be in contact and to reassure them they are doing everything right.

“It has been really nice.”

Sixth formers have been able to discuss the UCAS university application process with their teachers, as well as look into university open days.

It is hoped once the trial is complete, the system will be rolled out to other year groups at the school, starting with Year 10 who are heading into their exam year.

Head of school Michael Yerosimou said: “Nothing replaces having a teacher in a classroom, but this is 2020. If you consider what the next few months or year might look like, we might not have all children in school. This is something that adds another string to our bow and will help with the restrictions moving forward.