Coronavirus: Glengormley principal explains how routine is key

Mr Massey, who has been principal at the Ballyclare Road school since April 2018, encouraged parents to provide structure to their child’s day, after a number had contacted him to voice concerns about the new concept of home schooling.

In a statement issued to the Times, Mr Massey said: “Parents and carers are coming to terms with working from home whilst at the same time trying to structure new routines for their children and teenagers.

“This is a minefield for some families because there is a big secret to this – our children and teenagers thrive on routine – they don’t realise how much they need it. Routines are what give them purpose to undertake activities.

“Knowing that when you start a task, there is an end time in sight will actually help energise the young people to getting the work completed. Leave it open ended, then there is less challenge and actually less significance to what they are doing.

“School creates a routine though the ringing of bells, signifying the time to move from one activity to another. It is not actually the ringing noise of a bell that our young people need, it is simply something or someone making them accountable to move from one activity to another.

“As a principal and of course a father of three kids, I want to reassure the parents of Glengormley High School, your children will cope better, and you too will cope better by helping them to create a new daily routine. This actually starts the night before – bedtime should become an opportunity to stop and get rested for the next day. I strongly advise our pupils to go to bed at a reasonably early time so that they can get up good and early the next day to start into their education.

“Gaming until 2am, and getting up at 12pm the next day is not good for energy, mental health and their socialisation. So a reasonably early time to bed, up early to face the new day will help each day go quicker.”

He added: “Stop stressing about the work that schools have sent home. Schools have sent enough work to ensure that the pupils have plenty to occupy them. Dip in and out of the work - no child can sit at the same table all day for five to six hours – this is highly unrealistic and could prove very damaging to your child.

“This is an amazing time to help you child learn something that they never get the time to learn. So – feel free to forget Google Classroom for a day and learn how to make buns, or learn how to plant flowers or weed flowerbeds.

“If Google Classroom activities were central to educating your child – then school would not be needed, or at least teachers would not be needed. These activities should be undertaken in a measured way.

“Do not think your child will suddenly become bottom of the class because you cannot sit them down for more than two hours to work – this will not be the case.

“Another piece of advice is to insist that the family come together for dinner every day. Try to involve your children in the cooking, and ensure that you all sit down and share the dinner experience together.

“No mobile phones allowed – just a chance to sit down and be together. Being still together is something that one day you will want so much – so enjoy this while we have it.”