What is the difference between schools in Orkney and schools in England?<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n
By Lottie\u00a0<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n
Schools in Orkney are quite different to ones down south as you would expect especially during these confusing times but how different actually are they?\u00a0<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n
Well firstly, there’s the size.\u00a0\u00a0In schools in England you can expect to see about three different buildings\/blocks with classes in and the number of pupils can range. In some you get around 800 but in others you can get thousands: it just depends on if it\u2019s grammar school or not. But in Orkney they are much smaller schools.<\/p>\n
And then there\u2019s the Uniform…<\/p>\n
In Orkney there aren\u2019t uniforms: you get to wear what you like. But schools in England aren\u2019t like that: you must wear a uniform in primary school and secondary school and that sometimes includes blazers, ties, socks, and there\u2019s a uniform for PE too.\u00a0\u00a0Brooke*, from\u00a0\u00a0Stromness, said \u201cIt\u2019s nice not wearing a uniform.\u00a0\u00a0You feel comfy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phones were a big issue down south too as people would go on them in class and so some schools have banned them. Louise, a school pupil in England, said \u201cIt\u2019s a bit annoying because if you’re bored at break or lunch there’s nothing you can do except walk around with your friends\u201d. Jamie said \u201cif I want to get hold of my parents to ask something like can a friend come round I can\u2019t, because phones are banned\u201d However, Samantha Jane said \u201cIt’s got an up-side I guess: you talk to people more and socialize more and you actually catch up with friends\u201d.<\/p>\n
Being allowed into town is quite different as well.\u00a0\u00a0In England you aren\u2019t allowed to go down the street and all the gates are locked so you can’t get out.\u00a0\u00a0If you do leave the grounds, then PSP (isolation) would be in order for a couple of days.<\/p>\n
In Orkney you can go to nearby shops, which makes things freer and means you’re not limited to do certain things.<\/p>\n
During these COVID times things make it even harder because in England schools are back full time. Jamie said, \u201cI don\u2019t really feel safe being back at school full time because although we are testing every morning, what if it gives a false positive or negative”?\u00a0\u00a0Whereas Jemima said \u201cI like being back. I didn\u2019t like being at home. I couldn\u2019t see friends and if I didn\u2019t understand the work I had to email a teacher and wait\u201d!<\/p>\n
The thing Orkney schools and English schools have in common at the moment are masks.\u00a0\u00a0Pupils have to wear masks all day, in classes and on public transport. Social distancing is difficult too as Maddy said \u201cYou just forget and stand next to someone, then jump apart when you realise, and that\u2019s a pain\u201d.<\/p>\n
Sanitising is a bit different as well.\u00a0\u00a0In Orkney there are dispensers on the walls as you go outside and come in but in England you should be bringing your own and sanitising when you know you should be. Jasmine said \u201cIt makes my hands sticky, and some sanitisers don\u2019t smell the best\u201d<\/p>\n
Classrooms formats have changed as well: in Orkney schools there is tape on the desks where you can’t sit so you stay 2m apart from everyone else. Ella\u2019s opinion on this is \u201cIt\u2019s horrible, you don\u2019t feel like you can talk, and you have to stay silent plus one slight movement and it makes the loudest noise.\u201d Robert\u2019s opinion is \u201cI like it. Teachers can\u2019t tell if you’re laughing or not because they can only see your eyes\u201d.<\/p>\n
In general, as you would expect, the rules are different on phones, uniform and school grounds.\u00a0\u00a0But rules are in place for a reason…<\/p>\n
So, the difference between Orkney Schools and England’s schools in these weird times and in the normal times are quite different but they are different in their own way and that good.<\/p>\n
*names are changed for anonymity<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What is the difference between schools in Orkney and schools in England? By Lottie\u00a0 Schools in Orkney are quite different to ones down south as you would expect especially during these confusing times but how different actually are they?\u00a0 Well firstly, there’s the size.\u00a0\u00a0In schools in England you can expect to see about three different … Continue reading What is the difference between schools in Orkney and schools in England?<\/span>