STAFF at a small Dales primary school are planning an open day with a difference for parents of prospective nursery and reception pupils to beat the pandemic.

As coronavirus restrictions mean they can’t come to Bainbridge Church of England primary school to see the facilities for themselves, as they would normally, the dedicated staff have decided that the school will come to them, by offering a live, “virtual” visit.

The internet session will start at 4.30pm on Wednesday, December 9, a week after national lockdown is officially lifted, but with no certainty about what future restrictions may mean.

Early years foundation stage teachers Natasha Johnston and Leanne Middleton will welcome parents “live” using Teams webinar, and conduct a question and answer session at the end. In between, there will be a short video tour of the school from a child’s eye view.

“We have had to think differently about how we can show prospective parents the brilliant facilities we have here, and this seemed an exciting alternative to personal visits which we obviously can’t do at the moment,” said school administrator Gemma Gurden, whose own two boys attend the school.

Parents are invited to sign up for the virtual open day by emailing BAWBadmin@b-a-wb.co.uk, or calling 01969 650336. The live session will be recorded and available to view the following day on the school’s website, www.b-a-wb.co.uk, for those who can’t attend the session in person. Admissions for reception class children in September 2021 – ie those born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 – close on January 15.

Bainbridge is part of a three-way federation with Askrigg and West Burton primary schools serving all three villages and others further afield. Within the federation all early years and year one children are taught at Bainbridge, year two are all together at West Burton, and KS2 children go on to either Askrigg or West Burton.

There are currently 123 pupils across the federation, with 13 in the nursery, seven more due to start in January, and further nursery intakes in April and September. Children are eligible for a nursery place in the term after they turn three.