Today I met with school leaders from across Runnymede and Weybridge to discuss the challenges facing schools, their pupils and staff. Schools are doing a fantastic job keeping our schools open in difficult circumstances. But it is clear that they are being asked to do much more and need further support and resilience to continue to deliver the great education our children deserve.
Schools and students, like the rest of society, are facing incredible uncertainty and need a long term plan to provide stability and security. Questions over how to support the most disadvantaged students, whether school texts and exams should take place, how this would be delivered, and how to ensure fairness across our national school system are just some of the significant challenges that were raised. Current rules around bubbles, requirements to isolate and the impact this has on pupils, staff, and the school’s capacity to deliver a secure and stab;e environment were also key questions which need to be addressed.
Following the meeting I had the opportunity to raise some of these concerns with the Prime Minister, who agreed that teachers should be prioritised alongside NHS staff and care workers for covid testing. You can see my full question and the Prime Minister’s response above.
I will also be raising with the Secretary of State for Education the key issues raised by local school leaders in the meeting, and the need for certainty around how they can be further supported to deliver a great education to our pupils in such uncertain times.
