Safety the priority as more students make a welcome return to Vandyke and Cedars upper schools

With the Government now allowing schools the flexibility to invite back an additional year groups if they want to, teachers were delighted to welcome extra pupils through the doors.

Vandyke headteacher Tim Carroll said: “It was heartening to see students arriving in their uniform, smart and ready for school, pleased to be back.

“Student response was terrific, with 84% of Year 10 students coming in for lessons – a vote of confidence in their teachers and a show of support by parents and carers. Year 12 attendance has been even higher.

“The support belies some of the stories in the media about schools being reluctant to re-open. We have a strong protection plan in place and that has worked very well reassuring students and their parents/ carers. We have maximised the number of students coming in while staying within the government rules and students are benefitting from this enormously.”

Mr Carroll went on to outline some of the challenges schools have faced and in particular the frequent changes in guidance and short notice given. He said: “What is most important now is that the government sets out clearly the ground rules and expectations for the start of the new school year in September.

“What will be the rules around physical distancing, class sizes and rotas? We really do need to know now so that the necessary planning and communications with students and parents/ carers can take place.

“There are further big issues we are waiting on including what form exams next summer will take and the details about the much heralded programme of summer catch up. Dither, delay and a lack of clarity have characterised the information coming out to schools so far. Schools have shown they can deal with all sorts of changed circumstances and do a good job for our students but we do need some certainty as to the future we should be planning for.”

Cedars headteacher Steve Palmer said the week had gone “really well”. He added: “Year 10 students have been in from Monday to Thursday having English, maths and science lessons in groups of no more than 12 students.

“We are allowed a quarter of the year group on site each day following government guidelines. The site team and the Chiltern Learning Trust have been fantastic in ensuring the site is safe and that all social distancing rules are obeyed – students were superb in following these.

“ Today [Friday] we welcomed back half of Year 12 for A-level lessons and again the turnout was close to 90% which was really pleasing.

“Teachers have loved seeing their students and on all five days students arrived smiling and pleased to have a sense of normality back."

The Government guidance released last week states: “Where schools have capacity, they may choose to welcome back additional pupils.

“It is up to schools to decide which pupils to prioritise, based on their knowledge of their children and communities.”

South West Beds MP Andrew Selous said: “I am delighted that the Government has given headteachers this flexibility. A number of teachers and parents have written to me asking for this flexibility, particularly in respect of the three tier schools and I am very pleased that this additional flexibility has been granted. I very much look forward to schools being able to welcome all children back as soon as it is safe to do so.”

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