b'THE ELLESMERIAN36Middle SchoolIt was a frustrating period of time and continues to be so as we were unable to get back to competitive sport. However, once back in school, it gave students the opportunity of developing their team work skills and regaining fitness levels after the period of online learning throughout the lockdown.The performing areas of Music and Drama were also put on hold. Visits we not possible and expeditions at the end of the Summer term which are usually a massive highlight of the year were all cancelled, or very much pared down.We continued to hold our Middle School assemblies online and even though it was not an ideal situation it was good to know that we were all part of a Middle School community - even if it meant we were together virtually.The past year was somewhat strange, school life became veryYear 11 had the pressure of having to go through the Teacher different from its normal day to day structure. The pandemic changedAssessed Grades for their GCSEs and many felt the pressure of everything about it and how we went about our daily lives both atknowing how much these would impact on their final grades. I know school and at home.a lot of work was completed by teachers and students to help with the ease of the whole process with fantastic results. We started the year being in school and having some normality of school life, we adapted to the new restrictions and the new regimes of year bubbles, wearing masks and social distancing but we were happy to be in school and part of our school community.When the time came and we had to go into a lockdown situation I was amazed at how quickly everyone adapted to the online learning and teaching. It had its challenges but the contact with the students was fantastic and it managed to bring some level of normality in their lives. The routine of school lessons and speaking with teachers, even if it was via a screen, was most welcome and familiar.Once we were able to return school, we had the new routines in place to keep everyone safe which enabled the school to get back to the business of education; having the students back in school was a joy. Once again seeing them adapting to another set of rules and the changes to the normal way a school runs, saw incredible resilience inIn a very pleasing conclusion to the year, the Year 11 GCSE results their manner.saw 56% of grades in the top 9-7 range (A*/A) - well above the national average of 28.9% - and a 95% pass rate overall. The results'