Wigan teacher keeps story time going with videos from home
Phil Sharkey was reading The Midnight Gang, by David Walliams, with his year four class at St Andrew’s CE Primary School in Springfield before the coronavirus pandemic.
And rather than stop reading halfway through, he has decided to post videos on the school’s website each day of him reading a chapter from the book.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe also talks about what the children have been doing at home, giving “shout outs” for their efforts, and encourages them to take part in a maths competition.
Mr Sharkey, who films the videos at his home in Winstanley with daughters Lucy, five, and Jessica, one, said: “We were up to chapter 27 and I thought it would be a shame to miss out because school was closing. I put a video on and the children were putting good comments on.
“My children have started taking part in videos as well. They have been saying hello and amusing the children with the antics that children do.
“It has been a way of talking to the children and praising them for the work they have been doing. I can set the children tasks and those that are engaging with that get little mentions in the videos.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAmong those praised for their achievements outside school is nine-year-old Luke Campbell, who was doing tasks such as ironing to earn Cub badges.
His mother Angela Campbell praised Mr Sharkey for “going the extra mile” for her son and his classmates.
She said: “He thinks it’s brilliant. I think it’s lovely because the children can see each other’s work and I think it gives them a bit of competitiveness as well because there is a maths competition. It gives them a boost to go back on and keep up that momentum.
“I think it helps them because they feel like they are still part of the class and that group, rather than feeling isolated.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMr Sharkey’s videos, as well as written blogs by fellow teachers at St Andrew’s, can be found on the school’s website wiganstandrews.net.
A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:
Thank you for reading this story on our website.
But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.
In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.
Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAs Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."
But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.
We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:
You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.