CLERK LEAVING.
Parents of pupils at East Leake Brookside school have been given details of how to deal with the new way of operations for themselves and their sons and daughters as the rather different to normal school life comes into operation under the government restrictions imposed as part of the steps being taken to combat the problems of the coronavirus pandemic.
Headmaster Mr Gary Kenny says the school opening guide to parents is on the school homepage and contains all of the practical details about the school operating again including the important pick-up and drop-off times for the pupils.
Mr Kenny says the pick-ups at the end of the day are the busiest logistical event in the entire school day. In his message to parents and carers he says: “As we work towards tuning this operation so that it is as efficient and as safe as possible, every bit of assistance from you will be very much appreciated. As a reminder, please be safe and socially distant where waiting does occur – and try to avoid congregating at the ‘drop-off/ pick-up’ point. Recognise that only one person should be onsite per drop-off/ pick-up - especially at pick-up time. It is recognised that pre-school children will accompany parents, but everything should be done to avoid school-aged children from other schools, and, therefore, other bubbles being brought to the school site. Where waiting does occur, children should wait with their parent and not use any of the school’s play areas or play facilities.”
The headmaster says he acknowledges that the parents are very good at making the drop-off / pick-up operation run smoothly, and he greatly appreciates that.
In the report Mr Kenny comments that it is interesting to note that two schools in the county have had to close or partially close because of cases of coronavirus. “It is a sobering reminder that all schools, including Brookside, may have to face this eventuality at some point in the coming weeks and months. Parents are given the circumstances that may lead to a bubble of children having to isolate for two weeks in the School Opening Sept 20 guide.
“In the event that one or our bubbles, or indeed – the entire school, does have to self-isolate due to a confirmed case of Covid amongst its children or staff, or because of a government imposed local lock-down, the school will resume online learning for its pupils,” said the head.
In terms of parents contingency planning, Mr Kenny has said it would be worthwhile considering what their childcare arrangements would be if bubble isolation/ local lock-down were to occur. “Fingers are crossed that it won’t happen – but it seems sensible and worthwhile to plan for its possibility.”
After just over three years in office, East Leake’s popular parish clerk Neil Lambert is leaving.
His job is currently being advertised by the parish council, saying it offers 25 hours per week, 8.30 – 1pm Monday to Friday with the hours to include evening attendance at Parish Council and Committee meetings.
The council say they are looking for a resourceful and experienced individual to help them achieve their vision for the future as a progressive, ambitious council engaging with the community to develop environmentally and financially sustainable local services and a resilient, inclusive community.
The person appointed as the clerk will be the Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer and will be assisting the council in making and implementing decisions, managing a small team of staff, and engaging with residents.
Ideally, they will hold CiLCA or equivalent, or be willing to achieve it within 12 months of appointment, and you will have some experience of local authority or similar administration and of managing people at a senior