From the Headteacher's Study: Monday 23rd March 2020

Friday 20th March 2020 will be a date that I am never going to forget.

This has to have been the most distressing day in my teaching career having to close our doors to many of our pupils. I am always one for keeping school open unless there is an exceptional circumstance. I felt uncomfortable closing for one snow day but that seems insignificant in the light of this pandemic, having removed all control by the schools to remain open as it sweeps the world at speed.

In the hustle and bustle of trying to get communication to parents and pupils within such tight deadlines, as new information emerged from the government on a daily basis, I never felt that I had any time to properly speak with all the children.

Pupils were unsure when they were going to see their friends again while others were worried about having to adapt to a new way of learning remotely.  Understandably, the GCSE and A level students were left not knowing how their hard work over two years would reveal itself, with the announcement of no examinations in May and June.

I still feel totally overwhelmed and devastated for the school community. I will be ensuring that all pupils who left so suddenly on Friday return with a proper reunion when the time is right.