Focus on health and wellbeing as 90 per cent of pupils return to class
THERE HAS been a consistent increase in children attending Calderdale’s schools since they returned on March 8.
LAST week 92 per cent of pupils were in attendance on ther Monday, for example, which is in line with the national figure, Calderdale Council’s Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Board heard.
The council’s Assistant Director for Education and Inclusion, Lesley Bowyer, said children had attended in increasing numbers since they returned to school, the first step on the Government’s road map out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With later flow testing required to be carried out, it had been a mammoth logistical exercise,
supported by the council’s Public Health team, and regular meetings had been held with secondary schools and colleges about the arrangements.
There had been a high takeup of testing by Calderdale schools, and a small number of positive cases had been seen last week and more this week, but given the volume of numbers being tested the small numbers were pleasing.
Some school bubbles had been closed since March 8, mainly due to cases among staff, said Ms Bowyer.
The council was continuing with Safe Education Group meetings which met regularly to look at issues which arose.
Exam preparation was already taking place at schools and would be supported.
“Clearly, there is a lot of anxiety among students and staff about the arrangements, what they will be like.
“They will be teacher assessed on what students have learned, not whole syllabuses,” she said.
The recovery from COVID plan also looked at emotional and mental health needs and issues of digital poverty - ongoing issues with access to the internet and devices - as remote learning would still need to continue if children had to isolate, said Ms Bowyer.
Coun Amanda Parsons-Hulse (Lib Dem, Warley) wanted confirmation there was no charge for the tests as she had seen social media posts claiming £25 charges were being made, and Ms Bowyer insisted this was not the case - there is no charge. Schools will distribute these to families when children are able to do their own tests at home.
Coun Howard Blagbrough (Con, Brighouse) asked if there was scope to start A-level or training courses early to help gain on lost ground.
Ms Bowyer said the first step was supporting pupils through their exams but transition stage was important and they would be supported through that.
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