The return to school since September has felt like an enormous privilege after many months of disruption. So many school leaders will be following headlines regarding the Omicron variant with trepidation, fearful of the impact it may have in the months ahead.
While one does not envy the position of ministers having to respond to an ever-changing situation, the mixed messages of the last few days have offered an unwelcome sense of déjà vu to school leaders across the country.
Throughout the pandemic, head teachers have been consistent in their requests for clarity, communication and consideration for the long term. This has not necessarily been the case as we approach the season of school nativities, carol services, Christmas fetes and other festive events.
“The mixed messages of the last few days have offered an unwelcome sense of déjà vu to school leaders across the country.”
Now is exactly the time when our communities should be looking forward to coming together in ways that have been postponed too many times. So the suggestion that nativities and other Christmas activities might be scaled back at the discretion of school leaders — not necessarily because of government restrictions — is not a reassuring message.
Indeed, it is likely that many schools will continue to go ahead with planned performances, with due consideration to additional safety measures, similar to what we have been doing since September anyway. But the stakes are heightening around us.
No head wants to be the person to unnecessarily cancel a production or event that staff and students have worked hard towards, but nor do we want to be too gung-ho when people’s health is in question.
If the message from the government is that shows are able to go ahead then go ahead they shall. These are milestones that are not easily replaced if they are cancelled, while sensible measures can mitigate risks even among those who are already fully vaccinated or have received boosters. None of these decisions will be taken lightly, and we will not be simply pushing on with events, pretending that the pandemic is over.
“No head wants to be the person to unnecessarily cancel a production or event that staff and students have worked hard towards.”
Many will argue that attendance at nativities and other events will be decided by individuals – if they feel safe to come, they will. So we should always bear in mind those who will still feel too vulnerable to attend. Technology for streaming events or recording them for posterity have been made much easier in recent years, so this is now a given.
The prospect of more restrictions coming down the line after the progress we have made in recent months may have made it more difficult to countenance cancelling such joyful events.
As school leaders we must accept that responsibility for our communities will always ultimately fall to us, but this should not mean that it is unfair to request timely and clear guidance from government.