Mrs Hallam set up the laboratory following the announcement by the Government that all schools must close, except for the children of those people defined as key workers.
It now forms a key part of her interactive lessons enabling students from Prep 6 to Year 13 to see the scientific concepts they are learning about in action.
As well as leading lessons via video chat, many of the school’s teachers have turned their homes into interactive classrooms as part of the virtual school. These range from demonstrating PE challenges and Outdoor Learning in their gardens to undertaking Food and Nutrition lessons in their kitchens and transforming their dining rooms into Performing Arts spaces.
This enables students to access a full timetable of lessons. As would happen in classroom lessons, there is a mix of screen time and tasks to be completed away from the screen. Teachers are available throughout to offer individualised support and for girls to contact to ask for clarification, explanation or extension.
Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Matthews said: “Our teachers are trying to replicate as much as they possibly can of the things our students value here at school. Innovative ideas like this are incredibly inspiring and a real testament to their dedication.”