Leader thanks schools, colleges and nurseries for pandemic support

The leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council has sent a letter of thanks to all schools, colleges and early year settings for their continued support throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Many schools and early year settings remained open throughout the lockdown to provide care for vulnerable children and the children of key workers. Alongside this schools and colleges have continued to support children remotely with their education.

Since June schools, colleges and nurseries have welcomed back more children in selected year groups and have been busy preparing to put in new procedures ready to welcome all children back to class in the autumn term.

In her letter to schools Councillor Louise Gittins said: “As the end of the summer term soon approaches, I wanted to write to you, as Leader of Cheshire West and Chester, to thank you and all of your staff for the tremendous work you have all done during the Covid-19 lockdown period. 

“These have been exceptionally challenging times. We have all had to make decisions over issues for which we have had no previous experience. There have been uncertainties and anxieties along the way. We have had to be quick-thinking and creative. But through our best endeavours, the strength of our partnerships, our common ambitions, mutual respect and goodness of heart, we have achieved much.

“This Council highly values education, its schools, colleges, settings and providers. On behalf of the Council, can I say a big thank you for everything you have done to support children and young people, their families and carers, your staff and your community.

“There will be more challenges ahead, not least as education provision reopens more fully from September. There will be significant financial challenges ahead for us all, as a consequence of the demands we have had to respond to during the Covid-19 outbreak. Through our strong collaborative working and building on our co-production approaches, I am confident that we will be able to face those challenges together.

“In the meantime, please pass on my best wishes to all of your staff and community. I hope that, for those of you taking a break over the summer period, you will be able to take a relaxing and well-earned rest.”

The Government announced in July that they plan for all children and young people, in all year groups, to return to school and college full time from the beginning of the autumn term. Schools and colleges will communicate directly with families to provide details of their opening arrangements for the autumn term.