A BRADFORD headteacher has thanked staff for their extraordinary efforts during the coronavirus pandemic, describing how they are 'working harder than ever'.

Dan Styles of Tong Leadership Academy said pastoral and support staff offered emotional support to pupils and their families in isolation with regular calls to check on their wellbeing throughout lockdown.

From the first day of lockdown and the closure of schools to the majority of pupils, staff ensured pupils were able to continue their learning at home by teaching lessons online.

Looking back, the principal said: “I am incredibly proud of our school and the wonderful community we are all so very lucky to be part of.

“The strength of support offered by our teachers to our pupils has never been more apparent since the outbreak of COVID-19, the subsequent lockdown and our eventual return to school.

“Our teachers began teaching live, online lessons to pupils immediately to ensure that our pupils continued to make progress. Staff also called families every single week to stay in touch and offer support.

“The extraordinary efforts of our staff meant that nobody in our school community was left behind and that everyone was cared for.

“When we learned of the difficulties people were facing in our wider community as a result of the pandemic, our caring staff even began to gather donations for food and hygiene parcels to help alleviate this suffering."