The Omicron Variant

I’d like to concentrate this week’s blog on a single item – the Omicron variant.

As yet, we are still waiting for our scientists to offer us more secure information but, needless to say, all our organisations have spent a significant amount of time exploring the implications and trying to offer a degree of security for our young people and families.

Yet again schools (and many other organisations) are having to interpret mixed messages coming out of government. On one hand schools are being told to carry on as normal (school shows, nativities, planned visits etc) and then the following day we were told that if anyone presents with a positive case of Covid (Omicron) all their contacts (regardless of vaccination status) must self-isolate for 10 days. As you can imagine the potential of huge disruption over the next few days is significant. I’m certain some of these policy makers have never stepped foot in a busy school.

So, our leadership teams are presently working with our Health and Safety staff try to make sense of the rather confused landscape.

I want to make it really clear that all our organisations are working tirelessly to avoid further disruption and any type of closure. However, we may need to make some changes to the normal curriculum offer and we may have to make some compromises.

In the next few days, your school, college or post 19 organisation will contact you directly with their latest thoughts. There is a strong likelihood that we will have to re-introduce revised risk assessments. I know, through meetings I’ve had with families this week, that you share our key objectives of making sure every single member of our community remains safe and healthy.

We’ll keep you informed.

Best wishes

Graham