What a month! The schools are quiet (apart from those with key worker children in them) staff are working from home and the daily Covid 19 statistics seem unimaginable. Just a few weeks ago the government put us all into ‘lockdown’ and we are now having to work out what all of that means.
I have been so impressed by our staff as they have adjusted to setting work for students and working via Teams meetings. When I asked staff if they would volunteer to take part in a holiday club for our key worker children during the Easter holidays over 100 offers of help came in overnight. Amidst all of the Covid confusion staff have been making endless phone calls, keeping rotas going for vulnerable children, putting food parcels together, visiting homes and looking out for one another. We really do have a wonderful and committed staff workforce.
Thankfully in April we had some great news which helped us all to feel a bit better about this challenging period. We received notification that one of our Trust schools, inspected in March, had finally received their Ofsted report. We are delighted to celebrate with the staff, students and parents at Nottingham Emmanuel on their terrific good judgment. It is always great to see when hard work and commitment have been recognised. I was especially impressed with the following statements from Ofsted:
Pupils describe the school as inclusive. There is a sense of community, where all are valued. One pupil summarised the views of others by saying, ‘You feel like you are part of something.’ Pupils get on well with each other and with staff. Pupils value the diversity of the school community. They know that equality is important. Pupils appreciate that they are ‘free to express their faiths’.
And this is all on top of great examination results and progress! Well done Emmanuel.
Written: April 2020
