After another challenging lockdown and period of school closures, a successful return this week has seen students in all year groups come back to the classroom in schools across the region.
As with other returns, this week has been carefully planned by school leaders, with the additional challenge of implementing mass testing for the first time. While the logistics of managing this were daunting for many schools, operational plans have been put in place to ensure that this happened as safely and efficiently as possible. We know school leaders and teachers have worked incredibly hard to ensure that the return has been smooth and successful. It has been wonderful to see school leaders have reported a positive start for students and staff, with students very keen to be back in the classroom, seeing their friends and teachers and learning again.
Given the significant challenges that school leaders and staff have faced, this work should be properly recognised by the government. Previously the Prime Minister and Education Secretary have maintained that schools have their full support, however schools have implemented a full return with little guidance and no support from phased measures or additional financial support. After a difficult and stressful year for staff managing safety measures, periods of remote learning as well as in-school provision, and supporting their whole school communities, mental health and wellbeing in the profession is a serious concern. In addition, changing guidance, delayed announcements and u-turns have all contributed to a strained relationship between the Department for Education and the profession, and the government needs to take this opportunity to show their appreciation and begin to repair this relationship.
On the return, Carolyn Morgan, CEO of Ascent Academies, said, ‘After being open to reduced numbers over the lockdown students and staff at all Ascent Academies are all very pleased to be back in the classroom. Our staff have all been offered the vaccine and this has raised both morale and confidence levels in our staff teams. Student attendance over the first few days has been just slightly lower than normal overall, mainly due to students who are shielding and those self-isolating. Students were really excited to reconnect with their classmates and teachers.’
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East said, ‘We want to say both well done and thank you to all North East school staff for making the return to school so smooth as well as positive for students. We know everyone is keen to be back, and we are incredibly grateful and proud of the profession for their positive response and ensuring a safe return. We hope this is a sustained return to avoid any further disruption to our students and so that we can focus on helping our students recover, socially and emotionally, as well as academically.’
