Starting or returning to secondary school can be stressful at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. There have been major disruptions to school life and now physical changes are being made at schools to keep up to date with public health advice.
We visited Portlaoise College, a secondary school in Co Laois. They are busy organising further lunch break spaces, one-way systems in their hallways and stairwells, and socially-distanced classrooms.
They are also prioritising student mental health and wellbeing in the curriculum this year. "No student before this has ever had to sit one metre from their friends," said Ella Fitzpatrick, 16.