Monday February 8

Week 6 of Lockdown 3.

The return of the Beast from the East. Lovely fresh snow everywhere.

When I arrive at school just after 7am, the site manager is busy clearing the front pathway and car park.

I tell him to leave the playgrounds – the children will love coming in via Victoria Chase and walking through the snow.

This week is national E-Safety Week.

I use my assembly to give guidance to parents and children on the safe use of the internet and social media.

Clare Kershaw, Director of Children’s Services, confirms the Government will not budge on their decision to change the funding arrangements for pupil premium, which will mean we miss out on £8,000 in the next financial next year.

Have some lovely conversations with the Home Learners of the Week.

Glad to hear they have been playing out in the snow as their emailed photos for the school newsletter confirm.

Tuesday February 9

It is always worse on day 2 after heavy snowfall.

The snow has been compacted and turned to ice.

One teacher could not get her car off the drive, was walking to the bus stop, slipped and has hurt her back.

She is unable to come to work today.

Send out message instructing parents to enter the school via the front entrance as Victoria Chase and its pavements are too slippery.

Will probably keep these arrangements in place until the snow and ice disappears.

When we have reluctantly had to close for snow in the past, it has mainly been because the pavements around the school are impassable, not because the staff cannot get to school.

The council do not have the capacity to clear pavements. Have they ever?

I think there are some countries where householders have a civic duty to clear the pavement in front of their houses.

Ring the teacher who hurt herself on her journey to work. I am pleased to hear that she is ok, has taken some painkillers and is resting. She confirms she will be back in school tomorrow.

Sir Kevan Collins, whose job title will no doubt be shortened to Recovery Tsar, has made some encouraging statements about Education Recovery.

He talks of the impact of lockdown on all the age groups, singling out the youngest as missing out on so many important experiences which will stall their social development – the foundation on which their academic learning is built.

This is exactly what we need to hear from the Head of the Commission – looking at the big picture.

The Year 6 bubble have a wonderful time in the garden this afternoon with Wayne Setford from Together We Grow.

They built a fire, made hot chocolate and toasted some marshmallows.

Wednesday February 10

In the media there is growing speculation about re-opening and catch-up programmes.

Next Monday is still being billed as the big day for when we will be told about the plans for re-opening schools which, of course, have always been open.

A colleague head came across this from the DfE blog: “The current national measures are driving the R rate down and we hope to be able to start welcoming back more pupils from March 8 at the earliest.

"It is important to reiterate that we do not see this as a ‘return to school’ but more of an expansion of the numbers of pupils already in school and receiving a face-to-face education.”

Interesting. A cautious approach.

Much talk of summer schools alongside the confused messages about summer holidays.

If summer holidays are back on families will be desperate to get away and I predict a lot will also be booking holidays through the autumn term, especially if August is judged as too soon.

And many families choose term-time holidays because they are much cheaper –even with a non school attendance fine on top.

Will all parents prioritise summer school and term time school over a family holiday?

Thursday February 11

Attend a zoom meeting along with 250 Essex primary heads.

Clare Kershaw briefs us and holds an extended Q&A. Along with other local authorities in the Eastern Region, she met with government officials yesterday, including the East of England Regional Schools Commissioner, Sue Baldwin.

The LAs presented a “consideration paper” making it clear that there must be clear and compelling evidence for the education roadmap out of Lockdown 3.

Full Governing Body Meeting this evening.

They always get the balance right between challenge and support.

They are keen to perform their monitoring role effectively but do not want to add unnecessarily to the teachers’ burden, conscious as they are of how hard teachers and the support staff are working at the moment.

Long discussions are held about autumn term attainment and attendance data and the welfare of children during Lockdown 3.

It is clear the youngest pupils’ progress has been affected the most.

KS1 and KS2 pupils in total missed 819 days in school in the autumn term for Covid-related reasons, which works out on average at just under 2.5 days per pupil.

Friday February 12

In the certificate assembly this morning I explain to the children that we are exactly half way through the academic year.

This moment normally signifies surviving winter and the prospect ahead of trips, tests and lots of events.

Last night the parent governors agreed to hold a meeting in the near future to share their perceptions of remote learning so that they can get an overview across all age groups.

To help them I email all this week’s teacher newsletters.

These letters really are amazing.

The governors will see consistency.

They are clear and informative and, most importantly, they will also see that the tone is perfect - one of celebration, support and encouragement.

Email the parents of children in school to remind them that they must inform the school if their children test positive during the holiday.

If any children (and staff) who are symptomatic over the weekend go on to test positive then I will have to inform the Essex Track and Trace Team and their bubble will have to isolate.

Stand at the school gate and say goodbye to all the children and their parents.

Everybody deserves a break from school and from home learning – children, parents and staff.