Monday October 19

Walk to the gate this morning armed with a box of disposable masks in case any parents have forgotten – or perhaps have objections to wearing one - that they now need to wear one to enter the site.

I did not expect it to be a big issue. One parent had emailed to express her concerns but 100 per cent compliance.

Late morning we receive a phone call – a child in a Year 2 class has tested positive. She is ok. It is a horrible feeling having to tell staff and parents that a period of 14 days isolation begins – especially as it wipes out the holiday for them all.

I get through to the DfE phone line first. They confirm that I do need to send the class home.

They will email our local health board who will be in touch. At what point will I be instructed to close the school? Essex Contact Track and Trace Team ring in the afternoon. No further action – the virus is not out of control within the school. But there is definitely a growing number of cases in the local community.

The North School Association (the school’s parent teacher group) hold an evening ZOOM meeting.

Lots of head scratching: how can we bring the community together and generate income under the current restrictions? There are no easy answers.

The decision is made to involve everybody in this group think. I will send out a request to all parents and the chair of the North School Association will write a letter to all the children. What was agreed was an ambition to do something to help families in need this Christmas.

Tuesday October 20

Yesterday and today was spent meeting – face to face or remotely - with senior leaders (two of whom are now isolating) for their Performance Management.

They talk as one, praising the brilliant job teachers in their teams are doing to tailor the curriculum to meet the identified needs of the classes in resourceful and innovative ways. And it is not just the teachers.

All the staff at North have been incredible. Giving of their own time, working through lunch breaks and break times, doing additional or different – and not always pleasant - duties.

And now in some cases, accepting with grace their need to isolate for 14 days which includes a holiday period. They have been remarkable.

Got the chance to read the proofs of the the 125th anniversary book of the school’s history. It is fantastic.

Laura Davison (project co-ordinator) and Claire Driver (project historian) have done an unbelievable job. A wonderful tonic. Can’t wait to write the preface and hold the actual book.

No class sent home today!

Wednesday October 21

In assembly I tell the children about the book.

Colchester Foodbank get in touch. They will be providing food parcels for all families on our free school meals register – if they want them.

The expansion of the Colchester Foodbank over the years is impressive and sad. I have been doing some research in preparation for the Harvest Festival that is supporting the foodbank.

Their capacity has grown exponentially over the past few years in direct response to the spiralling levels of need.

No class sent home today!

MPs vote this evening not to continue to provide food vouchers for families in need in England during school holidays.

Marcus Rashford’s campaign in the spring shamed the government into a u-turn. Will it happen again? I hope so.

I receive a phone call from a teacher at 9pm . He has received an email from a pupil with confirmation of a positive test result. She has not been in school all week.

Contact Centres close at 8pm. I email parents of that class: The school has just been informed that a child in the class has received a positive test result.

We will be seeking the advice of Public Health first thing in the morning. We will let you know immediately of their decision.

Until you receive that information your child should not leave the house in the morning. I send out a similar email to staff who have been working with that class.