Empty corridors, social distancing, mask wearing, strict new timetables. Some of the island’s young people have been experiencing school life during a global pandemic this week.

The island’s secondary schools reopened on Tuesday for certain year groups to prepare for GCSE and A-Level assessments.

’It almost felt as if it was the start of a new school year,’ said Adrienne Burnett, head teacher at Ballakermeen High School.

’It was quite emotional to see the students walking up to school, all in their uniforms, all in their masks, wanting to come in and get going again.

’And we’re very grateful for the efforts of everyone in the Isle of Man for giving them that opportunity.’

With summer exams cancelled and grades being determined by in-school assessments, it was imperative to get these students back in school as soon as possible, she said.

Some GCSE courses, like art and drama, have a practical component which can’t be replicated online. Meanwhile year 13 students have also returned to their schools to prepare for weeks of assessments - though nothing is quite the same as before.

At Ballakermeen, one group of students is in school in the morning, another group in the afternoon, with the rooms and equipment deep cleaned between sessions.

Class sizes are limited, usually to six or eight depending on the size of the room. Mask wearing is advised but not compulsory, though virtually everyone has been wearing them, Mrs Burnett said.

Classrooms are being ventilated as much as possible - thankfully the weather has allowed windows to be open.

Throw in handwashing stations, warning signs and floor markers to keep people apart and it adds up to a very different school experience.

Many of these changes were planned during the original lockdown in 2020, but restrictions were lifted before they had to be implemented.

All being well, other year groups could return to their schools as soon as Monday, making this a memorable but short-lived experiment.

’This has been a real team effort,’ Mrs Burnett said.

’Not just the teachers but also our cleaners and caretakers. We’re very lucky to have such hardworking and committed people working here.’

In total, 448 pupils returned to their primary school on Tuesday with vulnerable children and those of essential workers the first to go back.

Meanwhile, 347 students attended their secondary school.