A message from the governors
On behalf of the governing body I would like to express my thanks to Ms Jepson, the school leadership and all of the amazing staff at Barnes Primary who have worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to prepare the school to reopen for reception, year 1 and year 6, along with children of key workers and vulnerable children.
As a parent of two children at the school I feel incredibly privileged to have benefited from the phenomenal efforts and dedication of the staff at Barnes Primary, who have adapted so quickly from ‘in person’ classroom learning to a world of virtual learning like it had been the plan all along. As a parent it feels like we have only just got to grips with virtual learning and now the school team are being asked to pivot again to a very different style of classroom teaching.
The whole team at Barnes Primary have undertaken a phenomenal amount of work since the Government announcement on 11 May in order to make it possible for the school to open to more children. The number one focus throughout has been the health, safety and wellbeing of both pupils and staff and this is demonstrated very clearly in the detailed communications from the school and the information set out on the School Reopening section of the school website.
During COVID-19, the governing body have continued to meet virtually to hold our regular board and committee meetings and to offer our support to the school where we can. The governing body has scrutinised the reopening plans and updated risk assessments prepared by the school. The planning and risk assessment process has been extremely detailed and thorough as you would expect from the school leadership. The school have also consulted with the local authority about their reopening plans, seeking their guidance where appropriate. As a governing body we are confident that the school has followed the relevant Government guidance and is ready to open to more children.
We have no doubt that the school will make this next phase a huge success, once again setting the standard for learning, love and laughter at Barnes Primary.
Jayne Pinchbeck
School governor and parent of children in reception and year 2.
