Letter concerning Covid 19 from The Chair of Governors

The Corona virus enforced lock-down was introduced on the 23^rd March 2020.  Though schools can still take in those children designated as vulnerable and the children of key workers, for all practical purposes schools are closed.  However, teaching and learning and effective governance and business management must continue though necessarily in an altered form.

At Cerne Abbas CE VC First School our Head Teacher and her Staff have, in a very short space of time managed to produce a comprehensive teaching plan for the summer term which can be delivered electronically.  The Governors recognise and are very grateful for the hard work and team spirit that has enabled this to be achieved.   We also appreciate the co-operation of parents in helping to make this home learning as productive as possible.

The Governing Body for the school continues to fulfil its statutory duties.  Though we have had temporarily to put in-school activity on hold, all committee meetings are continuing by video link.   The Finance and Resource, Teaching and Learning and Pay Policy committees and the Full Governing Body - all these have met at the usual times and frequencies and will continue to do so electronically for as long as necessary.  The GB Chair and HT have replaced their weekly ‘face to face’ meeting with a telephone call and all governors have a school based Google link which allows easy group communication as well as access to all governance documentation including school policies.

The Governing Body is confident that, during the Corona virus crisis, it will be able to continue to provide the necessary corporate strategic management of the school including assuring high quality distance learning for the pupils while also supporting the staff in the delivery of their teaching programmes.

 

Barbara Southcott

Chair of Governors

April 2020