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Well, well, well....
2020.
What can we say? You started so innocently. You seemed like just a regular year.
2020.
What can we say? You started so innocently. You seemed like just a regular year.
Things were ticking along fairly well.
I mean, there was talk of a strange virus in a faraway place called Wuhan.
But we didn't really think much of it.
I mean, there was talk of a strange virus in a faraway place called Wuhan.
But we didn't really think much of it.
Schools hadn't closed for decades.
Well, except for the odd snow day.
(spoiler alert: snow days ain't got nothing on a global pandemic)
Well, except for the odd snow day.
(spoiler alert: snow days ain't got nothing on a global pandemic)
But as we approached March, things began to look different
That strange virus was spreading across Europe. Fast.
Italy closed its schools.
Then Ireland.
In March, schools in England closed for all pupils except those of key workers.
That strange virus was spreading across Europe. Fast.
Italy closed its schools.
Then Ireland.
In March, schools in England closed for all pupils except those of key workers.
It has to be said.
Those working in schools rose to the challenge ... (they've been rising ever since).
Can we just call them heroes?
Those working in schools rose to the challenge ... (they've been rising ever since).
Can we just call them heroes?
It was all change for us Governors, trustees and clerks too.
(Aha! You CAN teach an old dog new tricks)
We switched to video meetings overnight.
"you're on mute ... you need to turn your mic on."
(Aha! You CAN teach an old dog new tricks)
We switched to video meetings overnight.
"you're on mute ... you need to turn your mic on."
Some of us juggled work and home school.
(Oh my, please can we never do that again.
... Teachers you are officially amazing).
(Oh my, please can we never do that again.
... Teachers you are officially amazing).
There were plentiful updates from the Department for Education.
Reopening of schools
Exams
Free School meals
PPE
Reopening of schoolsExamsFree School mealsPPE
School business managers didn't stop either.
As with finance governors, they're now well versed in the cost of hand sanitiser.
(Who could have predicted that in 2019?!)
As with finance governors, they're now well versed in the cost of hand sanitiser.
(Who could have predicted that in 2019?!)
Exam results were awarded.
Plans for a full return in September were under way - as schools continued to provide an education for those in and out of school.
And we all learnt another new word, "the bubble"
And we all learnt another new word, "the bubble"
By now governors, trustees and clerks were getting the hang of video calls.
We found the unmute button - yay
We found the unmute button - yay
Schools sprang back into action in the autumn term.
.... and what a term it has been.
.... and what a term it has been.
It really has been a year like no other in education.
School leaders have worked incredibly hard to keep the show on the bumpiest of roads.
School leaders have worked incredibly hard to keep the show on the bumpiest of roads.
So, all that's left to say is...
Goodbye 2020. We bid you farewell (Shoo, go on, shoo)
2021 - if you're following this, please take note.
Keep it nice and simple. That's probably all we can manage.
Merry Christmas and stay safe.
Goodbye 2020. We bid you farewell (Shoo, go on, shoo)
2021 - if you're following this, please take note.
Keep it nice and simple. That's probably all we can manage.
Merry Christmas and stay safe.
