The lockdown diary

A week in the life of David Phillips

It's all give, give, give, but the gratification is forever delayed in this week's lockdown diary from David Phillips

It's all give, give, give, but the gratification is forever delayed in this week's lockdown diary from David Phillips

4 Jul 2020, 5:00

Monday 22 June

We discuss the September curriculum, but we are awaiting the government update

Key worker provision continues and year 10 and 12 students are starting their second week. Faculty leaders discuss structuring the delivery of the September curriculum: our model offers us the greatest flexibility in case there is a second spike, but we are awaiting the government update due next week.

I return to school in the afternoon to meet a local head whose school has been a victim of flash flooding. We walk a portion of our site and discuss whether it is suitable as a temporary base.

Tuesday 23 June

My interim review with governors is based on targets we set before Covid-19

I greet the year 10 students in our sports hall before another day of learning. Our school is like a greenhouse. Fans can’t be used to keep the temperature down so I start by apologising and asking them to think cool thoughts.

My interim review with governors is based on targets that we set before Covid-19 was heard of. Strangely, we have kept our focus on being outward-looking, and have maintained high behaviour expectations and developed our curriculum, although perhaps not in the way we had imagined.

I keep forgetting to keep my water intake up, especially important on a hot day when I am booked to donate platelets for cancer treatment. Donations have continued through lockdown, although my last session was cancelled as the machine was needed for convalescent plasma for Covid-19. Five pints of water at the last minute feel like an error of judgment as I stay strapped up to the machine with 40 minutes to go.

Wednesday 24 June

The government has shifted the goalposts and issued changed guidance

We hold our first online evening for parents of year 6 students. I have practised breakout rooms, screen-sharing and sound, and a tight agenda still gives parents time to talk about their concerns. With a couple of glitches in the first meeting, the technology holds up in the second and we feel it has been a success.

I then see the update guidance on the ability to claim on the Covid-19 fund. After the Edenred FSM voucher debacle we have continued to use Wonde vouchers. The government has shifted the goalposts and issued changed guidance that says we will not be refunded for the Easter and half-term breaks. I leave a late-night phone message for my MP to call back tomorrow and go to sleep cross.

Thursday 25 June

Our social care laptops finally seem to be on their way

A day of exchanging emails with our MP’s office and speaking to some news providers. I have been more involved with the media through the months of lockdown than for the whole of last year.

Our social care laptops finally seem to be on their way, even though the number allocated is a couple short of our list. Our year 10 laptops will be way behind these. We are hoping to get the 18 we ordered back at the beginning of May, but it appears the order is only now being processed.

Friday 26 June

We do not want to throw the timetable in the air

An interview on local radio first thing and potentially positive news regarding our ability to be reimbursed for the holiday vouchers. However, the article in Schools Week on secondary “bubbling” prompts further detailed discussion in our senior meeting to be ready for the faculty meetings next week. We do not want to throw the timetable in the air, so we are considering re-rooming year groups so that the school will be geographically divided on year lines rather than faculty ones.

Home for a relaxing evening in the garden with plans to see my daughter tomorrow. Instead, the car breaks down and the visit will have to wait. Must everything be an exercise in delayed gratification?

Latest education roles from

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Solihull College and University Centre

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

It’s Education’s Time to Shine: Celebrate your Education Community in 2025!

The deadline is approaching to nominate a colleague, team, whole school or college for the 2025 Pearson National Teaching...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Navigating NPQ Funding Cuts: An Apprenticeship Success Story

Last year’s NPQ funding cuts meant that half of England’s teachers faced costs of up to £4,000 to complete...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Embedding Formative Assessment: not just a box-ticking exercise but something long-term and meaningful for all

Our EFA programme has been proven to help schools achieve better GCSE results, as evidenced by the EEF. Find...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building capacity in family support to tackle low school attendance 

Persistent and severe school absence impacts children, families, and communities—especially in disadvantaged areas. School-Home Support’s Attendance Support and Development Programme...

SWAdvertorial

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *