Essex school concerned about rising Covid-19 cases despite smooth reopening
Colchester Royal Grammar School is one of many in the county staggering their reopening dates across this week to ensure all pupils are tested
Colchester Royal Grammar School has said that pupils' return to school for the new term has gone smoothly so far, despite concerns around rising Covid cases.
The school, like many others in Essex, staggered their opening dates for the new term across this week, to make preparations for the new testing requirements mandated by the Government.
Assistant Headteacher Darrell Chart-Boyles tells us he welcomes the new testing requirements but adds that the communication from Government should have been more prompt: "Unfortunately, the guidance, as it has been at many points during the pandemic, has been quite last minute. I think the latest guidance that we had was on Sunday afternoon, before schools reopened on Tuesday."
After a non-pupil day on Tuesday, they began receiving students on-site for testing, with the view of having everyone on campus by Friday.
"Students have made the effort to travel, many of them from lots of different places and have their tests done formally on site. We've really pleased with the take up of the testing so far because I think its giving us a bit more confidence going into this new term."
The school managed to stockpile test kits before Christmas and so they haven't been adversely affected by the recent shortage. Mr Chart-Boyles is hoping, however, that the issues with regards to Covid-19 test supplies are resolved as soon as possible.
"All of us in education are testing twice a week, and we've heard that there have been some issues in the supply chain with regards to test. We're hoping that we get our regular delivery of those because the weekly testing gives us the confidence that when we are in the classroom, people are not passing the virus on,"
A large number of staff absences is another issue that Mr Chart-Boyles and the school are worried about: "So far we've only had one or two members of staff who haven't been able to come to school because of their positive tests, and fortunately those staff have been able to continue delivering their lessons remotely, because they haven't been too poorly.
"But we are nervous about the situation moving forward, because obviously the national cases remain quite high, and we know that within education, our colleagues are quite vulnerable because we're mixing with so many people during the school day."
He believes the mandate requiring students in Year 7 and above is a good idea: "I know the Government are going to review that in a fortnight or so, but it feels like a good, cautionary measure between between now and then just to keep everybody safe.
"So although we're nervous, we think the mitigations in place at the moment are suitable ones."
Currently, schools are also expected to provide online classes for those students who test positive for the virus and cannot attend in-person lessons. Mr Chart-Boyles suggests that keeping students in school is a priority but adds that they have plans in place to revert to online learning should there be an out-break.
"I think that sort of blended model of online and live lessons is something that we will have for the foreseeable future. I can't see that changing much before the summer term.
"We're certainly in a position where that's just a normal part of our learning. It's slightly more awkward and obviously it's not the same as being in the classroom. We much prefer our students and staff to be in front of each other, but if we have to, we can move to our online lessons really quickly now."
He has also praised Essex County Council for their support: "The County Council have been superb, their communication with schools has been excellent and when new guidance comes in they are very good at digesting it for us, and giving us the key things that we need to work on.
"So the local authority I would say has been stronger than the Department for Education so far."
What would he like to see from the Government as we move forward? "I think the crucial thing for us, is having plenty of notice.
"If we are to update something like our risk assessment, that's a fairly substantial job. Telling us twenty four hours in advance that things are changing, is not enough time for schools to modify those. So if things are changing going forwards, we just need to know about them with plenty of time to implement those changes."
He adds, " I think also the messaging just needs to be really clear and really supportive of schools from the Government.
"For example, It's not our decision to have our students put masks back on during lessons over the next couple of weeks. That is a government decision and we really need that central support from them so that we are not having to deal with parents questioning that or students, not wanting to follow the guidance."