Louth Academy chief ‘frustrated’ over inflexible school guidance

David Hampson said he is frustrated that the Government has imposed a blanket regulation insisting that only 25 per cent of pupils in Years 10 and 12 can return to the classroom when, for some schools - such as those within the Trust - he feels that figure could be exceeded and still comply with the strict health and safety guidelines for Covid 19.

Children in Years 10 and 12 returned to class at Louth, Somercotes, Tollbar and Cleethorpes Academies on Monday, following extensive risk assessments.

Mr Hampson says that 48 students are now being taught in the classrooms at Louth Academy, and a further 27 students at Somercotes Academy.

The figures for Tollbar Academy and Cleethorpes Academy are 86 and 38 respectively.

These figures include vulnerable children and those of key workers, who have been in school throughout the crisis.

In the Trust’s primary academies, 97 children are being taught at Reynolds Academy, 48 at Pilgrim Academy, and 20 at Theddlethorpe Academy. These children are in Nursery, Reception and Year 1. Theddlethorpe Academy has also been able to take in Year 6 pupils, but there is not the capacity to do so at the other two schools.

All remaining pupils continue to have access to online teaching through the ‘Frog’ digital platform. This has been utilised extensively by staff and students throughout the lockdown period. Alongside accessing resources, the Frog platform has enabled students to communicate with their teachers to support the online learning taking place and quickly resolve any barriers to learning.

Mr Hampson said: “We have 25 per cent of our Year 12 students in the classroom at the present time, but because of the large capacity of our Sixth Form buildings we could accommodate all our Lower Sixth students without any detriment to the health and safety of our staff and students.

“Schools will never be able to increase their class sizes unless the social distancing measures are reduced from two metres, and I believe that the Government should provide some flexibility in this by putting the decision into the hands of the CEOs and Principals of the individual academies, in consultation with their staff.

“Personally I came into this profession in 1973 because I wanted to ensure children from disadvantaged background, like mine, experienced a quality education and one that would offer them life-changing opportunities. I was determined that any child I taught, or latterly was taught in one of the establishments I led and managed, would have a far better education experience than mine and a significantly higher quality of teaching.

“We need to get children back into the classroom so that we can give them the education they deserve. We have imposed extensive measures to make it safe for them to do so and staff have been provided with large quantities of PPE equipment to ensure that they feel safe to teach.

“Masks, rubber gloves, face shields and plastic aprons have been provided for staff depending on their level of contact with students. Hand sanitisers have been placed at all entrances and at stations throughout the sites, and in every classroom.

“Social distancing tape, signs and cones have been set up in social and movement areas. Classrooms have been specially arranged to ensure two metre social distancing for the students and staff at all times.

“Throughout this emergency period the staff of Tollbar MAT have been, and continue to be, exceptional and a credit to the profession. Their safety and that of all of our students is paramount, but I believe we are ready for them to return to the classroom as a matter of urgency, otherwise we will have an educationally deprived generation of children.”