Welcome once more to Heads Up.

Last week, our Chief Executive Monica Fogarty reflected on a year since lockdown began and I was delighted to read the praise that she shared on behalf of all at the County Council. It was lovely to see schools and settings get broader recognition for the fabulous work you have done over the last 12 months.

In the spirit of reflection, I would like to take stock of the term that we are close to finishing. Although, there will be a Heads Up next week, this seems an opportune moment.

Well, what a term this has been.  A term of two halves if ever there was one and, as ever, the challenges it threw up have been met head on. Schools had a near impossible job at the start of term with the sudden introduction of new government guidance after the first day back in January. The increase in numbers of parents taking up key worker places at schools made for another challenge while remote learning once again became very important for the majority of pupils.

COVID-19 transmission rates have been low in most schools.  Because of the high numbers of people in a relatively small space (by current standards), there is a common misconception that schools are some sort of petri dish for transmission, but that is far from the case.  Schools have actually been the place where positive cases have been identified and action taken to isolate those with, or in close contact with, the virus. Schools have shown a level of diligence and speed of reaction to introduce LFD testing that has done their school communities proud and minimised transmission levels.

That has been brought into sharp focus since the wider return of all pupils from 8 March.  The testing programme at schools and settings, and the ongoing programme of home testing to pick up asymptomatic cases, has helped to make both schools and communities safer places.

To date, schools and settings have conducted over 225,000 tests with 230 positive cases including pupils and staff – around 0.1%. That number may seem low but the maths teachers among you will know how quickly that can multiply. Yes, the number of positive cases is low, but it shows the level of detail that schools and settings have gone into to keep their children and communities safe.

Despite the need for some pupils to be sent home, attendance remains high at 90+% since March which is commendably close to what we would expect for Spring term prior to COVID-19.

So, I am just going to round off with a huge thanks and to urge you all to deliver your best over the remaining week of the term doing what you have been doing so well.  Vigilance and keeping to the guidance, both in and out of school settings, are key to staying on track with the government roadmap out of lockdown. Please ensure that continued social distancing, wearing of face coverings, hand hygiene and encouraging parents and carers to do the right thing continue to be emphasised.

Next week sees the start of the Easter holidays and I will be giving a bit of profile to the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme which has been established at terrific speed and starts on Tuesday 6 April. Thank you to all staff who have been part of setting up the HAF offer for Easter.

That’s it for now.  As Monica said, do try and get some rest and recuperation over the weekend – her words sounded strangely familiar.  It is a message we can’t repeat enough.  Your wellbeing is so critical to us all.

Have a good weekend. See you next week.