Confident it can manage increased attendance and classroom teaching
Chiswick School headteacher Laura Ellener
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After a false start at the beginning of this term when a last minute U-turn by the government meant carefully laid plans had to be scrapped, Chiswick School is still ready to welcome more pupils back.
The Prime Minister has announced that from 8 March children could begin to return to school so the sports hall has been transformed into a lateral flow testing site where students will learn how to self-test before being given test kits to use at home.
Since January, teaching and support staff have been running the test site for those children still attending school on site and the school is very confident that they can manage the increase in students using the facility.
Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson also announced the method that schools will use to arrive at students' GCSE and A Level results. School leader, Graham McNamara said, “our students have been learning throughout this time and teachers have been delivering all lessons through live teaching. We are confident that students are in a great position to do brilliantly and we are proud of how hard they have worked during this difficult time”.
Before the Government's announcements the school had already been making plans to run a Summer camp for the Year 6 students who plan on attending the school from September. On 1 March, parents across the country will find out which secondary schools they have been allocated. It is a year ago that Chiswick School was inspected by Ofsted and praised for its Outstanding personal development. There was a 62% increase this year in parents choosing the school as first choice for their child which the school is interpreting as sure sign that the school is moving towards its aim of being at the heart of the community.
Sports Hall has been transformed into a testing centre for the virus
Headteacher Laura Ellener said, “We are delighted that parents can now have great confidence in their local secondary school and I cannot wait to welcome children from local primary schools to join us in September. We are planning a fun and exciting Summer programme where children can enjoy being with their friends and having a great time through a range of exciting activities”.
Councillor Tom Bruce, cabinet member for Education, Children and Youth Services at Hounslow Council said, “The wellbeing and long-term future of our children and young people is one of Hounslow’s key priorities. We know that attending school and education settings in person is far and away better than learning from home, so we welcome the announcement that schools will reopen to all pupils from March 8.
“That said, we recognise there are mixed reactions to this announcement. While many will feel happy and looking forward getting back to the classroom, others may be anxious and apprehensive about the wider return. This is why I, with many colleagues across London, continue to call for the Government to make clear when teachers and other education staff will receive the vaccine.
“As we have done throughout this pandemic, we will continue to work closely with schools and education providers, to ensure they remain the safest possible spaces for everyone. We will of course listen to parents, carers, unions, staff and young people to understand how we can best support their needs going forward. We believe parents and carers have a vital role to play in the continuing safety of our schools, and this means knowing and following the safety measures their child’s school has put in place and ensuring they and their children follow the testing and self-isolation guidelines if appropriate."
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February 27, 2021
