Coronavirus: Titchfield primary school's videos of bedtime stories for pupils go viral
A primary school is ensuring its pupils in lockdown can see a familiar face every day - as their teachers send heartwarming videos of them reading bedtime stories.
Titchfield Primary School, in Southampton Road, Titchfield, has seen the videos posted on the school’s Facebook page attract thousands of views - even though the school's roll includes just 189 children.
Deputy headteacher Seb Olway said: ‘We started by filming a story which has been viewed almost 3,000 views.
‘When we found out that schools had to close, we knew that we had to stay connected with our children, parents and community.
‘Keeping connected at the moment is a really difficult thing to do but we wanted to try and thought that our social media was something we could use in a really positive way.
‘Our teachers star in the videos which the children absolutely love.’
The nine teachers who staff the school plan to take it turns to read the short stories throughout the lockdown, with parents saying it brings much needed familiarity for their children.
One parent, whose five-year-old daughter is in a reception class at the school, said: ‘It’s amazing and the impact its had on my daughter has been great.
‘Her face lit up when she saw her teacher.
‘It was the familiarity - its a small family school so everyone is very close.
‘And they have had one story that was written by a teacher which was totally unique.’
As well as their own stories, teachers are reading books with permission from the publishing company Scholastic, which stocks the school’s library.
The school hopes to post more videos that cover a range of activities, according to the deputy headteacher.
He said: ‘We’ve got plans to stay connected with our children through wellbeing sessions, poetry, songs and dances which we hope will keep the children engaged and still feeling part of our school family.'
The school remains open for vulnerable children, as well as those who have a key worker parent.