Thursday 7 May 2020 was a very special day at Northern Education Trust Norton Primary Academy. As well as children who attend Norton Primary, the school has also been hosting the children of key workers from two other Northern Education Trust academies: Frederick Nattrass Primary and North Shore Secondary.

Staff and students decided they would not let the coronavirus stand in their way of celebrating the 75th anniversary of VE day, so took part in lots of activities in the week leading up to 7 May, based around VE day. These activities including painting spitfires, learning songs and listening to stories and accounts from the time, culminated in a wonderful picnic-style afternoon tea on 7 May, for all the children and staff provided by the catering team at Norton Primary Academy (social distancing measures strictly adhered to, of course). There were scones with jam and cream, delicious home-made sausage rolls and finger sandwiches – very reminiscent of the many tea parties that would have been held across the nation in 1945. Some of the children were also interviewed by telephone for the BBC Radio Tees Breakfast show, which was broadcast on VE day itself.

The children thoroughly enjoyed both learning about VE day, and preparing for the celebrations. They put huge efforts into decorating the hall, making their own bunting and table decorations, and Molly summed up how all the children felt after the tea party, saying: “It went really well. It was just a great time.”