Children who returned to Minchinhampton Primary Academy school last week have been processing their feelings about the coronavirus pandemic by writing poetry.

They are supported through a new ‘recovery curriculum’, as staff receive specialist training in emotional resilience and recovery.

Minchinhampton student Tess has written a celebratory verse about NHS frontline staff, full of empathy and gratitude.

The 11-year-old took inspiration from Simon Armitage, after meeting the poet laureate on his visit to Stroud shortly before the UK went into lockdown.

Tess said:“I gave him a book of my poems and he joked ‘Don’t get too good, I don’t want any competition!’.

"He was really nice and humble, I wanted to write a poem that focused on the real heroes, not superman.”

Fellow Year six student Austin has created a poem full of hope, inviting about a 'magic door' to a healthier, happier world.

Minchinhampton Primary opened its doors last week to Nursery, Reception, Year one and Year six students, having remained open throughout lockdown for key workers’ and vulnerable children.

Headteacher Nick Moss said:“Talking, expressive arts and creativity are vital ways for children to explore their relationship to these immensely challenging and confusing events."

“The poems our students are writing are incredibly moving and an invaluable reminder of how much our young people are absorbing and processing at the moment. Children now back in school have been decorating thank you cards containing Tess’ brilliant poem to send out to our local hospitals, as well as talking and playing a lot, creating art, climbing trees, digging, planting, telling stories, doing yoga and mindfulness and being given plenty of autonomy to draw upon their individual interests and strengths.

Austin’s poem is visionary and full of sensitive insight about a brighter future, one that ultimately lies in the hands of our young people. Perhaps we’ll send a copy to Downing Street.”

'Superheroes' by Tess:

Did you see it going past?

Lights a blaring, sirens blast,

Superheroes work within,

To save somebody else’s kin,

Working through the day and night,

Speeding through the traffic light,

Going out to save the life

Of someone’s daughter, someone’s wife.

Stay home stay safe;

To help the heroes in the van,

To do the best work that they can,

It’s the least you can do

To help the heroes see it through,

For all the brilliant work they’ve done

To save someone’s brother, father, son.

To the superheroes in the van,

Doing the best work that they can:

Thank you.

Superheroes wear a cape?

And they help you to escape -

From baddies big and strong?

That is where you’ve got it wrong.

No - they help you to escape,

From your ever-nearing fate,

They aren’t extremely big or tall,

Superheroes wearing scrubs are the very best kind of all.

You see, superheroes don’t wear capes,

Although they help you to escape,

Not from heroes big and strong -

That’s where you have got it wrong.

No - they help you to escape,

From your ever-nearing fate,

They aren’t extremely big and tall;

Superheroes wearing scrubs are the best kind of them all.

'I Opened the Magic Door' by Austin, 11:

I opened the magic door

and saw a child turning the page of the world.

I opened the magic door

to see the rainbow colours of hope constructed for the NHS

I opened the magic door

and felt freedom escaping capture.

I opened the magic door

and saw the world ripped apart by climate change, but being rebuilt.

I opened the magic door

to find nature wrapped in plastic, but unfolding slowly for freedom.

I opened the magic door

and touched blue sky brightening up the world from the darkness of industrialisation.

I opened the magic door

and found people not in the room, but more together in frames.

I opened the magic door

and saw the world getting healthier. It was smiling back at me.

I opened the magic door

and felt our lives finally on the ground, not below or above.