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Saturday, February 20 IT has been a quiet half-term break. Only one family reported positive Covid cases and that was at the end of the week, so there was no need to inform parents and staff of a need to isolate. My thoughts turn to the Prime Minister’s announcement due on the 22nd. I email staff and governors, part of which read: “You will be aware that leaks indicate primaries will open in full on March 8 and unions have issued a joint statement urging a more cautious approach. “You may also have read reports that infection rates among younger children is rising - unexpected and alarming news. However, last Thursday I was briefed on Essex data that differs from this national picture that I am sure you will find more reassuring. ....
Monday, January 18 WEEK three of lockdown. The weekend was spent in communication with the LA – we will have no choice but to offer to open the nursery. What has made the situation worse is the feeling the LA has not been lobbying on behalf of settings only open to their critical worker and vulnerable children. The only help the LA has given settings is, in recognition of the late notice from Government, an extension to the census date from the 21st to the 25th January. That will give us a couple of extra working days to sort this. At the 11am meeting with Clare Kershaw (director for education at Essex County Council), we discuss our email correspondence. She is fully aware of the strength of my feelings and other headteachers in a similar situation. Some LAs have instructed their nurseries not to open and will be funding them in full. Scotland’s nurseries remain closed. ....
Monday, January 18 WEEK three of lockdown. The weekend was spent in communication with the LA – we will have no choice but to offer to open the nursery. What has made the situation worse is the feeling the LA has not been lobbying on behalf of settings only open to their critical worker and vulnerable children. The only help the LA has given settings is, in recognition of the late notice from Government, an extension to the census date from the 21st to the 25th January. That will give us a couple of extra working days to sort this. At the 11am meeting with Clare Kershaw (director for education at Essex County Council), we discuss our email correspondence. She is fully aware of the strength of my feelings and other headteachers in a similar situation. Some LAs have instructed their nurseries not to open and will be funding them in full. Scotland’s nurseries remain closed. ....
Monday, January 18 WEEK three of lockdown. The weekend was spent in communication with the LA – we will have no choice but to offer to open the nursery. What has made the situation worse is the feeling the LA has not been lobbying on behalf of settings only open to their critical worker and vulnerable children. The only help the LA has given settings is, in recognition of the late notice from Government, an extension to the census date from the 21st to the 25th January. That will give us a couple of extra working days to sort this. At the 11am meeting with Clare Kershaw (director for education at Essex County Council), we discuss our email correspondence. She is fully aware of the strength of my feelings and other headteachers in a similar situation. Some LAs have instructed their nurseries not to open and will be funding them in full. Scotland’s nurseries remain closed. ....
Wednesday, December 30 AT 4pm, the wait is over. The noise over what the Government will do about schools in the face of the exponential growth in the transmission rate has become deafening. Gavin Williamson announces in the Commons that not all primary schools will open for all their pupils next week. But schools have to wait until the list of areas is published on the Government website. An anxious wait ensues. At 5pm, the list appears and Essex has been split across the middle. The contingency framework comes into effect for South and Mid, meaning schools and colleges will be welcoming back children of critical workers and children classed as vulnerable. Colchester, Utttlesford and Tendring primary schools must open as normal. ....