As we head into this most different of school years, schools across the country are organising a variety of ways to meet the needs of their pupils. But are they all really going to meet those needs? 

Like many others, my son’s school is offering blended learning - one week in and one week at home. Of course, it’s optional, so there is the possibility of full-time learning, which my son is taking. 

At first glance, this seems like a good solution to the problem of overcrowding in a school with more than 1,500 pupils. And, of course, I’m sure everything here has been considered and planned for. 

But what would happen if this approach were adopted in a less scrupulous school? Or a more challenging area? 

More online than not

There are some vulnerable pupils who don’t want to come to school, as a result of anxiety or other psychological needs. There are some pupils in volatile or abusive situations, who actually won’t be allowed to come to school. And of course, there will be some pupils who see this as a glorious opportunity for yet more time off. 

But, perhaps more worryingly, there is the possibility of schools using this online, blended approach to ensure that challenging pupils are not on the school site.

I mean, this term is going to be hard enough even without those pupils that staff moan about in the staffroom isn’t it? Is it really that much of a stretch to believe school leaders might be tempted to offer a “blend” of more online than not? 

Then how about those pupils with special education needs and disabilities?

Tes has already reported that around 20,000 pupils with special educational needs and disabilities are unlikely to return to school this month. Isn’t there a possibility that pupils whose needs can be more challenging to meet, or who require extra help, or who require a full-time teaching assistant might be allowed (nay, encouraged) to do the lion’s share of learning online? 

Placed online and forgotten about

Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps, jaded by six months of DfE guidelines and U-turns, I’m just looking for the potential problems. But the last thing any of our vulnerable pupils needs is to be placed online and forgotten about. 

I know this suggestion will be controversial. And, please believe me, I am not suggesting this would be the case in the majority of schools. 

Indeed, if the situation worsens, or if we go into local lockdown, then my school may have to place some pupils on online timetables for a portion of their day, because our building is so small. 

So, believe me, I do understand. But, equally, I feel that, as a teaching community, we must be vigilant of this issue.

We must ensure that we fight for the equity of offer for all pupils regardless of social, emotional and mental health, Send or other needs. 

Kate Martin is vice-principal at Restormel Academy, an alternative provision school in Cornwall. She tweets @k8martin