An investigation into the unexplained death of Sarah Hopkins has been concluded, West Mercia detectives have confirmed. The Crown Prosecution Service have determined that no further action will be taken in relation to the death of Sarah Hopkins and a coroner’s court recorded an open verdict into her death in January 2021. The 25 year old, described as “popular and friendly,” was found behind Upton Fire Station after going to the pub with friends. On the evening of November 15 2019, Miss Hopkins checked in on Facebook at the Drum and Monkey pub in Upton with the comment: Caz and Gordy cheering me up after a s week, I have the best friends.”
SCHOOLS: Lessons moved online A WORCESTER headteacher has spoken of the transformed world of schools to online in the pandemic, and how they adapted well. Lindsay Cooke, headteacher of Hanley Castle High School (pictured), said: It has worked out better than we could have imagined, but obviously it is not ideal. It is amazing what you can do, when you have to. Children have coped so well. For school s it has been a complete revelation. No one thought you could reinvent education like this. Good things have come out of this. Last term we had parents evenings online, and parents, children and teachers said it worked better.
HEADTEACHERS in Malvern have criticised the government s last minute decision to close schools and cancel exams this summer. Mike Fieldhouse, headteacher at The Chase, blasted the “bombshell comment” that summer exams would be cancelled, “without any clarity and guidance about what would replace those examinations”. While Lindsey Cooke, the headteacher of Hanley Castle High School, said she was disappointed that the exams had been cancelled. When he announced the national lockdown on Monday night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said all schools and colleges now had to move to online learning, with them remaining closed for all pupils apart from the children of key workers or those who are vulnerable until the February half-term.
REACTION: l/r: Gareth Doodes, Neil Morris, Gavin Williamson, Marcus Hart and Lindsey Cooke TEACHERS in Worcester have admitted having mixed feelings after the government announced students will return to school later than usual after Christmas. Because of the rising Covid-19 infection rates, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced secondary school pupils will not return until January 11 at the earliest, with some not returning until January 18. Under the new timetable, the majority of primary schools will return on January 4 except those in areas with the highest Covid infection rates. On the same day, the children of key workers and vulnerable children will be able to return to secondary schools.