We are approaching the last week of the 2019-20 school year - one I will never forget. Between August and March, we experienced the usual challenges associated with a busy school, but Covid-19 forced schools around the world to stop, put safety first and work in new and profoundly different ways.

Like most schools, we stepped up to the challenge superbly well. Teachers embraced new digital ways of working and engaging with pupils; support staff continued to be there for those needing help and guidance; we looked after the children of key workers; staff looked out for one another; and school leaders worked - to breaking point at times - to deal with considerable and ever-shifting demands.

Education did not stop - we adapted as best we could. Many recognise that teachers have not merely been “working from home”, but trying to work at home while caring for their families and educating their own children. There is a big difference.

Coronavirus: Social distancing prevents ‘anywhere close’ to 100% attendance

Leading a school during Covid-19: ‘My life as a head has become almost entirely reactive’

Blended learning: The biggest curriculum challenge of the century?

Opening schools: What does ‘safe’ really mean?

Although a slight relaxation in alertness seems to have entered the public consciousness, Covid-19 has not changed. It is still lethal. Fortunately, infection and mortality rates continue to fall, but we are not out of the woods on this one, not by a long shot.

Sadly, in my view, with the passing of time through lockdown, we began to see some attitudes and behaviour from before creep back in. Education can be a political football and it has not taken long for that to be proved by the debate around reopening schools.

Some say we should just get back to doing things as they were before lockdown - and hurry up with it. In an article on the BBC, some parents are calling for schools to get pupils back full time and “are willing to take the risks that come with that”. This suggests that we can ignore current scientific and government advice. I wonder if they assume staff will be equally happy to accept these risks? Personally speaking, I am content to support the plans of my P2 daughter’s school as I trust it will put safety first. This may cause us childcare issues in August, like many families, but we will cross that bridge if and when we get there.

I represent secondary school leaders on the government recovery workstream dealing with education infrastructure. From day one there has been support and collaboration across the group to work towards a common goal, based on the circumstances at the time. As I write today, we are all still asked to keep two metres apart. To suggest schools can fully reopen with that rule in place lacks understanding of the mathematics involved and perhaps strays into the dangerous territory of underestimating this virus - which is still taking precious lives every day.

Young people have struggled in lockdown with the lack of routine, social contact and support. Whether they would admit it or not, they have missed their teachers. For many young people, school staff are the key protective factor in their lives. A second deadly wave of this virus resulting in another extended lockdown would do more harm to the health and wellbeing of the nation than a period of “blended learning” will. As keen as I am to bring back the full richness of day-to-day school life, we must continue to put safety first to save lives.

If the two-metre rule changes - and it seems very likely to do so - school leaders will need time to re-adjust current re-opening plans. I sincerely hope colleagues will not be expected to do this in the last few days of the school year, or during the holidays. Many of us have never had to work longer, harder or under greater pressure. We do so without complaint, for our school communities. However, everyone has limits and I see colleagues across the country running on fumes.

School staff need to be appreciated, trusted and allowed to recuperate from this unprecedented challenge. A shift in the rhetoric around Covid-19 and schools would be most welcome, too.

Stay safe and take good care.