As teachers reached the end of an incredibly demanding term, a new initiative was launched to ensure that they do not feel isolated this Christmas.

Covid-19 not only made the past term different to any other, but it will also be impacting on the Christmas of school staff with increased restrictions across the country and the prospect of some people having to self-isolate if their “bubbles” are affected by the virus.

But a major academy trust has launched a scheme to ensure that its teachers and school staff can stay connected while they are away from the classroom.

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David Ross Education Trust (DRET) said that while the country has reflected on what isolation and lockdown has meant for mental health, the specific impact on teachers has sometimes been overlooked.

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The trust’s Connecting at Christmas initiative aims to address this.

It allows colleagues to spend time together and connect through group coffee mornings via Teams, afternoon quizzes and one-to-one conversations for anyone who is going to be on their own and wants to reach out for some company.

Stuart Burns, chief executive officer of the trust, said: “Our Connecting at Christmas scheme is a wonderful example of community and collaboration, and we hope that any colleagues who are on their own know they we are there and that we care. 

“Our teachers and support staff have responded magnificently to the challenges of this year, but we must remember that this Christmas will not look the same for everyone.

“While calls cannot replace in-person festivities, we want to bring as much DRET spirit to the holidays as possible and ensure that our teachers and staff across our schools feel supported and cared for during these difficult times.”

The scheme is available to staff across the trust’s 34 schools from London to Hull.

Earlier this term Ofsted warned that the bubble system across schools has meant that teachers have felt more isolated this term as they are unable to interact in the staffroom as normal.