Two new schools tasked with opening their doors for the first time in the middle of a pandemic say the virus has brought challenges they never could have prepared for.

Bearsted Primary Academy and Snowfields Academy, both in Popesfield Way, Maidstone, welcomed their first pupils in September.

Despite years in the making, the coronavirus meant building work was put on hold, transition days were cut short and staff training had to take place online.

But in the face of added pressures, the schools, both part of the Leigh Academies Trust, were determined not to let the virus scupper any more plans.

Charlotte Barnden, the principal at Bearsted Primary Academy, shared how the school has coped through the uncertain times and even found the extra space an unexpected advantage.

She added: “When I was standing in halls this time last year selling a school that didn’t exist, we were ahead of schedule, but no-one could have envisioned this.

“When Covid-19 hit we knew the opening would be impacted slightly but everyone worked hard to make sure it still happened.

“Because we only have one year group, we have so much space not being used yet so we can easily allow for social distancing and if anything were to happen, we have a space to isolate children.

“We have 39 pupils in total so we can operate as one bubble which means their routine hasn’t had to change much apart from the constant hand washing.

"Because this is their first experience at school, the 'new normal' for everyone else is just our normal and the children are loving being here."

Next door to the primary is Snowfields Academy, a specialist secondary for children with autism as their primary need.

After five years in the making the state-of-the-art building was opened on time with staff and students making the most of the difficult situation.

Principal Dee Pickerill said: “At one point we had a 12-week delay on building works which at the time was really worrying but the builders worked so hard and thankfully closed the gap.

“A few things weren’t quite finished when we opened but it was only last-minute decorating bits so it was easy enough to work around and learning hasn't been impacted at all.

“Because all of our students have autism as their primary need, they need a supportive transition plan to help them move between settings but we weren’t able to do that as extensively as we would have hoped.

“We managed to fit in socially distanced tours before classes started so given everything, the pupils have settled in so well.

"Everyday I see so many things that make me so proud of my pupils, they have coped exceptionally well through all of this."

When Snowfields reaches its full capacity, it will have enough spaces for 140 pupils.

By 2026, Bearsted Primary Academy will have 420 places.

Its Little Bears Nursery, which can cater for 26 children, is still on schedule to open in January 2021.

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