While many might feel stuck in limbo during lockdown, youngsters at an Aberdeenshire school are preparing to emerge from isolation armed with a new set of skills.
Youngsters at Lathallan boarding school near St Cyrus have been using their time to learn everything from sign language to songwriting to crocheting over the internet.
The activities feature as part of the school’s personal development programme, and more are to be added each term.
Using a combination of video and online tutorials, some of the work will be incorporated into school life when lockdown ends while others will result in formal qualifications.
Pupils studying songwriting, for example, will develop techniques and collaborate with others to compose music in a range of styles – with their work being performed at future school and community events.
Those who sign up for the British Sign Language qualification course will be taught over 10 lessons with the opportunity to achieve an accreditation.
Students usually have the choice of skiing, rock-climbing, catering, photography, volunteering, engineering and even working on the school’s small farm.
However teachers have had to come up with a new approach now that those pastimes have been ruled out.
Several teachers have been helping the children to develop cooking and baking skills with weekly recipes for them to try.
Headmaster Richard Toley said: “We strongly believe that children should have a well-rounded education.
“There’s more to that than just helping them reach their full academic potential, it’s also about equipping them with a wider set of skills and knowledge which will help them approach their future with confidence.”