insideKENT Magazine Issue 101 - September 2020 | Page 94

EDUCATION BACK TO SCHOOL: 2020 COME SEPTEMBER YOUR LITTLE ONES WILL BE MAKING THEIR WAY BACK TO SCHOOL, AND THE SUN WILL BE BEGINNING TO SET ON THE EXISTENTIAL NIGHTMARE THAT HAS BEEN THE 2019/2020 ACADEMIC YEAR. WITH THE IMMEASURABLE CHALLENGES OF THE SPRING AND SUMMER TERMS HOPEFULLY BEHIND US, AND THE PROSPECT OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR, NEW FRIENDS, NEW CLUBS, NEW TECHNOLOGIES, AND NEW EXPERIENCES TO PROPEL THEM FORWARD, CHILDREN WILL BE GOING INTO AN AUTUMN TERM LIKE NONE OTHER. This is not just like any other boring school year, this is the year of immense change; in the last year schools have had to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape like never before. Schools, teachers and pupils were thrown into a world where they were forced to acclimatise to the constantly changing environment where half the struggle was simply being able to keep up with the latest news report and last minute changes to the law. Fortunately, through unimaginable pressure, diamonds are made, and certain schools have managed to adapt to an era of constant change to emerge with better technology, better facilities, a better support system, and a better understanding of what their pupils, and faculty, are truly capable of. From new technology, clubs, and teaching styles, this is certainly going to be a school year to remember. Bethany School, an independent boarding and day co-ed school, based in Goudhurst, is set on a sprawling campus of 60 acres of green Kent countryside. This idyllic school has always championed persistence, mindfulness, personal responsibility and reflection. In the troubling times we live in, these qualities are more valuable than ever and, as a direct result, the school is fully prepared for any and all challenges that might be thrown its way in the immediate future. As the world descended into panic and madness, Bethany School stood both tall and firm, and remained calm and collected as its incredible staff strove to achieve a productive and educationally fulfilling few months in lockdown. Post March 19th the school implemented a remote learning program that ensured, even under such unprecedented conditions, pupils at Bethany School got the elite education they were used to. 94