Watch staff in hilarious video as their Sunderland school gets set to fully reopen on March 8

With around a quarter of its 170 pupils still attending lessons during the latest coronavirus lockdown, New Penshaw Academy decided to continue with World Book Day celebrations on March 4.

But the school did not want returning pupils to feel left out and so recorded a video of staff dressed up as magical characters from the world of literature and others simply having a laugh.

Headteacher Steph Johnson hopes the recording will help put children’s minds at ease when around 130 return to lessons on Monday, March 8, for the first time since the first week of January.

She said: “As we have had 25% of our pupils accessing face-to-face education, we did not to miss World Book Day as reading is one of our priorities.

"But we did not want to forget about those coming back and we wanted to put their minds at ease in case they are anxious by having a laugh and showing them that everything is going to be as it was.

Year two teacher Fay Weldon produced the video of staff singing and dancing in a variety of costumes and added Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars as a backing track.

Mrs Johnson said: “Our staff are fantastic and always go the extra mile for the children.

"We had a chat about how they will feel about coming back after lockdown and thought having a bit of a laugh would create a little of familiarity for them.”

Schools nationwide are beginning to fully reopen from March 8 as part of the first phase of the Government’s road map out of the latest lockdown.

Mrs Johnson said: “We cannot wait for Monday and to see everyone again.

"While our pupils have shown how resilient they are, it is a chance to try to get back to normality after far too long.

"As much as we have loved having the 40 pupils with us since January, it will be lovely to have the classrooms and corridors full again.”

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.