Hello everybody.
Welcome to the final edition of Heads Up for 2021.
It has been another absolutely incredible year for everyone involved in schools, colleges and early years settings. From the second day of Spring Term when schools had to close again to all but the most vulnerable children and young people and children of key workers, it has been a non-stop rollercoaster of a year.
From a personal point of view, I took up the portfolio for education halfway through the year, adding it to Children and Families which had been my previous remit in Cabinet.
For me, this seemed a natural fit as so much of what I was already overseeing was intertwined with the world of education.
And, for me, some of the most memorable achievements - among the many things that have been done at breakneck speed - have made sure that the link between some of our more vulnerable children and education services has been made stronger.
From keeping schools open to that small number of children and keeping them safe and fed to the roll out of around 3,000 laptops and Wifi devices to enable them to participate in online learning, the efforts have been immense. I have been so proud of the commitment that has been shown to make sure that all of our children have access to learning and also to their teachers who play such vital roles in their lives.
The Holiday Activities and Food programme, again, has been incredible. Pulled together at incredible speed and making sure that our most vulnerable youngsters are engaged with and given nutritious food over the holidays, it has been an outstanding success and something that everyone involved should be proud of. I seem to be mentioning the speed at which things have been done a lot. Let me be clear. That has not been at the expense of the quality of the offer.
I could go on and on about what you have all achieved this year but we have promised to keep this edition of Heads Up short and sweet. So, I will round off by saying that the County Council is immensely grateful for all of the extraordinary things that your schools and settings have done this year.
My seasonal message to you is to sincerely thank you, to urge you to enjoy the holiday season and to affirm that, whatever next year brings, we at Warwickshire County Council will be supporting you every step of the way.
Stay safe and please keep on doing what you have been doing.
Cllr Jeff Morgan
Portfolio Holder: Children, Families and Education
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A short message from Chris Baird:
Dear colleagues,
A short but important message from me to end the term. Thank you for all you have done for children and young people in Warwickshire over this year and for the leadership and support you have provided to staff and to your local communities. I am sure all are looking forward to the holiday period and hope that everyone finds what they are looking for, rest, rejuvenation and something to bring cheer during the festive season.
I know colleagues in Education Services and in the wider council put great store by the constructive and positive working relationships they have with schools and settings. These have been all the more important during the COVID19 age and will continue in the New Year.
Best wishes and happy holidays when you get there.
Chris Baird
Interim Assistant Director for Education Services.