So, how are you feeling today?
A question that opens most conversations, and something regularly used as I pass colleagues in the corridor, has taken on new meaning in the last few days, thanks to coronavirus. Whether it is on the phone or in emails to colleagues, or during a Facetime call with my elderly mother, no one quite knows how to answer.
With very little middle ground at the minute between business as usual and panic buying toilet rolls, it seems we’re all looking for sanctuary at the minute. Personally, I’ve found that Tes has been a sanctuary of calm and reason in the last few days, as teachers wrestle with whether to go into work, self-isolate or carry on as normal.
Having self-isolated, I find myself in a very strange state of flux. On the one hand, the news and wider media deliver a range of content (which can seemingly be interpreted in a number of ways). On the other hand, I want to continue to support my team and offer the best advice that I can (albeit, remotely).
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I also want to sit and give my toddler a flippin’ massive cuddle and watch The Baby Club on Cbeebies until I want to strangle Giovanna Fletcher (seriously, an irritatingly catchy set of tracks).
A source of immense comfort
As usual, education settings reflect wider society – people aren’t fully sure what to do or how to act and this feeling is magnified by up to 40 per cent of students staying away from school either through parental intervention or self-isolation.
It is stranger still seeing all of this from home when so many of my colleagues are in work. I’m in touch with everyone through email, phone and text (and being as responsive as I can), but it’s not an ideal situation for anyone.
As I’ve mentioned, thankfully, we have outlets such as the Tes publishing wonderful articles and blogs (providing guidance and advice on a range of issues including mental health/ wellbeing and more practical advice around self-isolation). Added to this, the support, advice and information from practitioners across Twitter has been a source of immense comfort.
A key theme in discussions on Twitter has been the focus on preparing online materials/ resources for students in case of school/ college closures, something we know now to be a reality. The collaboration and sheer number of teachers who have come forward with Padlets, revision guides, activity booklets and lessons has been overwhelming and evidence of the best side of human nature.
In addition, the number of resource websites and providers who have offered free subscriptions has again shown what everyone in education can do when tested. Further to this, I’ve also seen several heroes and sheroes offering to complete supply work for free or offer revision over Skype to help students cope.
The coming together of the education community both online and in schools and classrooms across the country has truly been something to behold and awe-inspiring. Staff are working more collaboratively than ever to make sure that all (especially the most vulnerable) students are catered for; identifying students as quickly as possible and making sure communication with parents and carers is swift and effective.
As much as the cancellation of exams has caused anxiety in classrooms, staff have quickly refocused and started to offer mental health and well-being support wherever it is needed.
Like everyone, I wait for the daily press conferences to see what news will be next. What is to happen with GCSE, A level, Sats and functional skills? Will students have to complete an online assessment remotely or will mock grades be used? Who does the government deem to be the key workers in our society? We're set to find out today, with the cabinet office due to post a list later.
Like most, I’m not sure what the best outcome is – there are pros and cons to all of the suggestions currently being discussed in classrooms, staffrooms, boardrooms and Cobra meetings. These are just some of the many challenges we will face, and resolve (together), over the coming weeks and months.
If my advice is worth anything at all (and as stated on Twitter this week, you really shouldn’t be taking your advice from someone who achieved a grade D in GCSE Science), I’d echo the views of the experts – wash your hands, employ social distancing, self-isolate when you need to. No matter what happens next, we must keep working together for the good of all of our students.
More than this, hold those you love a bit closer, a bit tighter and say you love them a bit louder, and, hopefully, Giovanna Fletcher will update us all soon on the best course of action from The Baby Club.
Jonny Kay is head of English and maths at Tyne Coast College
