WOOL Primary school teacher Amanda Knowles delighted pupils and parents as she shared video footage on line of some very special new arrivals.

Through the school Facebook page the Year 6/ Elm Class teacher revealed her English Bulldog Florence was pregnant - and days later came the video of eight adorable puppies.

Now posting updates in her Puppy Diaries, Amanda said: “Having some happy news during these tough times seems to have lifted the children’s spirits. Whenever I speak to my class, as part of our welfare check-ins, they always ask how Florence and the puppies are doing and look forward to hearing the latest news about them.”

The school has found Facebook a valuable tool for keeping in touch and maintaining an 'open door' for all pupils, despite the lockdown.

Headteacher Ellie Griffiths said: "Our school vision is 'Rooted in the community to grow and flourish'.We normally have an open door policy. Our physical door may be shut but all our school community know it’s still metaphorically open. We have Facebook posts at least four times a week where staff read stories, set challenges - or give puppy updates!

“We have also launched our school magazine so at least every week we invite all families to send in pictures of their home learning experiences, so every year group can see what their friends have been up to. In addition we have remote learning platforms and weekly phone calls to the children.Parents are sending in lots of things they have been exploring and lots of home learning is on line, so we try and get a balance and have time away from their screens. We have virtual Friday assemblies and I give awards for learning taking place both at home and at school.

"All at Wool Primary continually strive to think of creative ways to uphold our school vision.  Whilst lots of our pupils are unable to come onto the school site at present, we are able to keep in touch with them in lots of different ways so that they know that they remain an important part of our school family”