Dear Parents & Carers

Well, what a 12 months that has been! In fact, to paraphrase Her Majesty – it’s been a complete annus horribilis of an experience (that’s not word for word, I don’t think). So much disruption, so many changes, in and out of lockdowns, self-isolation periods, masks on, masks off, and so much upheaval in society. The impact of all of this is well documented through the press and other sources, especially when it comes to learning, mental health and social development. I know that some of our kids and families have suffered terribly through this and our welfare team have been working with you and will continue to do so.

However, for this, my last weekly update of the year, I would like to strike a more optimistic tone because on the whole, given all that has happened this last year, our kids and families have coped admirably. My first weekly update of the academic year relayed a conversation with a lad in Year 9 who, when asked how he had coped with lockdown #1, replied, ‘Alright’. How do you feel about coming back to school? ‘Alright’. What do you think of all the changes we have had to make? ‘Alright’. To be honest, I think Mr Chatty here wrote the manual on how to make the best of such a disrupted year; just give him a room with a teacher at the front and he’ll be alright. Alternatively, a computer with a teacher on the other end, he’ll still be alright. And whilst this seems to be downplaying it all, it describes the overwhelming majority of the kids in school; they’ve done ‘alright’.

When I look objectively at the year and see that this generation of kids have had to adapt how they learn and socialise far more than any other, I think they’ve done more than alright. I also know those who at points in the year didn’t do alright, particularly coming out of lockdown in March, but have worked their way back or are working their way back and I think they, too, have done better than alright. So to all our kids: well done for doing alright. And next year, as we get our own classrooms back and get back to working to our improvement plan, it will be a lot better than alright.

I would also like to thank and congratulate all our parents, as I know it hasn’t been easy. You have been endlessly patient when, all too frequently, we have been sending your kids home; you’ve worked hard to make sure your kids get online to join the lessons; and in so many cases, you’ve even found the time to send in some kind words. Thank you for this; it has been a feature of the year that people have pulled together to support the kids and the feeling of being part of a community is stronger than ever.

We can take this now and really stride forward next September when we launch our new plans for school improvements. These cover all the key areas: teaching, learning, behaviour, high expectations of basic conduct, extra-curricular opportunities and many other priorities; these will all be addressed in the autumn term and I will be in touch to explain them all.

I think pretty much everybody is welcoming the curtain closing on this year and looking forward to the reset button being pressed in September. So it is with a sense of optimism that I wish you all well for the summer.

Best wishes

Andy Perry – Head Teacher

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