Dear Editor,

I read with interest the recent letter from the Boss of NET Academies where it was stated they welcome the planned re-opening of schools.

https://www.yourharlow.com/2020/05/18/head-of-five-harlow-primary-schools-says-reopening-is-essential-for-the-sake-of-our-childrens-education/

The letter was signed by 22 Chief Executive Officers including Jo Coton, Chief Executive, of NET Academies Trust, who is responsible for five primary schools in Harlow. I noted there was a lot of talk about ‘lost learning could be irreparable’, differences between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ and as Educators, this is our ‘area of expertise’.

I have also read reports from the British Medical Association and Teaching Unions who also have a good understanding of the issues being discussed; parents too have been very vocal on this issue. It is not that I am against children returning to schools, it is about making sure that children, teaching staff, parents and careers remain safe. Our society has paid a high price of the loss of the elderly from Care Homes which has been catastrophic, I want to avoid a similar price being paid within the Education sector.

As a registered social worker, I know from research that children are in fact pretty resilient, it is the high quality relationships that matter more than anything else. We have seen in the local press and social media the incredible efforts of children and parents during this period of ‘lock down’. However this also has to be balanced against those children whose experiences differ, from abusive families for example. There are many children with ‘hidden needs’ as a result of the increased isolation, poverty and uncertainty due to the current situation who will need additional support when the time is right for them to return.

You may sense I was uneasy with this article, talking about the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’. Personally, I was not a fan of schools moving to academies which transferred schools into businesses, although I appreciate it is part of current Education Policy. The level of asset stripping had similarities to the move of transferring care homes to the private sector; history is currently in the making on that one.

There also has to be mutual respect for ‘area of expertise’ and a letter signed by 22 CEOs is not enough to convince parents, teaching staff and carers they will feel safe. Let’s have respect for the other professionals in this discussion before we give the green light that everything is safe and dandy.

By extending the period away from school this may prevent a second wave of infection. It will enable technology to get up to speed to Test, Track and Trace which will increase the confidence for all concerned.

Finally, credit does need to go to the teaching staff who have continued to educate, teaching in different ways, using online platforms etc. They are the professionals to identity learning needs and bridge any gap’ in learning. When it is safe for both children and teachers to return, the teaching staff will do what they do best regardless of learning ‘gap’; let us not add more stress by urging an early return during this worldwide pandemic.

Frances L Mason
Councillor for Toddbrook