Transition activity at the end of last term was designed to allay the fears of parents as much as children. Has it worked?

How we made a rapid start, though unseen difficulties tried to thwart us.

How much ventilation is enough ventilation? Has anybody tried to measure it, and define it in such as way that we know how far we need to crack open the windows (and doors?)

Come September we’ll have two year groups with no experience of how things were organised here pre-pandemic, and a third with only hazy recollection from a half academic year. As we return, revert or convert arrangements, these will be novel for most, and odd. We should explain not only what we plan…

The best laid plans ... Staff at secondary schools are on version 9 of their plans for transition events. And then out comes public health advice, worded very clearly and strongly, that throws all those plans aside.

'Write a thorough Risk Assessment', they say, as if the production of the document will magically reduce risk or remove hazards. The document is NOT the objective.

Are sponsored events too soft? Shouldn't they require a little sacrifice?

On a typical, but wet, lunchtime, this is the running order for 480 pupils in 16 classes across 4 year groups and occupying 4 open-plan ‘bases’ and 5 ‘mobiles’ in order to have all get their lunch and get a Covid-safe play outside.

We have money left over from last year, and a forecast of more left over this year – nearly £70,000 altogether. Should we: pay down debt, set it aside for a rainy day, or spend it all while we have it?

Why do boys lag girls in writing at this age? And is there anything we can / should do about it?