EDUCATION has become one of the major talking points of the coronavirus pandemic.

It's easy to get caught up in arguments over whether or not it's safe for them to reopen - but it's important to remember that, for some staff and pupils, school has never closed.

Even at the height of the pandemic, many stayed open for the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils.

The Hexham Courant launched its bouquet of the week appeal in April to recognise the work of special citizens across the Tyne Valley.

This week's recipients are Haydon Bridge High School's Darren Glover and Helen Jackson, who worked hard to keep the school open during lockdown.

The pair were nominated by staff member Elizabeth Hicks, who explained why she thought they deserved the title.

She said: "These two, single handedly, kept Haydon Bridge High School open for the children of key workers as well as our more vulnerable students throughout lockdown. This included throughout the school holidays and bank holidays.

"This meant that other staff did not have to put themselves at risk by travelling to the school site, and so reduced the infection risk to the children in school as well as the wider community.

"Haydon Bridge High School must have been one of the few schools in the county, and possibly England, where teachers and teaching assistants were not required to attend on a rota basis, but instead were able to teach remotely entirely from home.

"They have also undertaken much of the physical reorganisation of the site and classrooms to prepare for full reopening in September.

"They went over and above what was required of them, for the students, their parents, the key workers and the staff."

While all schools faced difficulty delivering teaching during lockdown, Haydon Bridge High School's problems were compounded by the enormous catchment area of the school - the largest of any high school in England.

Elizabeth added: "Some sectors of the media are quick to portray teachers as work shy and whingers.

"In reality teaching remotely to students scattered over 700 square miles, many staff and students with poor and in some cases no internet connections, has demanded an enormous outlay of time and energy to keep the school community connected.

"These two freed up staff to be able to do just that."

Mr Glover was appointed as headteacher just before Bright Tribe's failed attempt to take over the school.

Since then, he has overseen improvements at the school, which was long plagued by poor Ofsted reports, but has recently shown signs of recovery.