Please see the letter below from Cllr Tariq.
Dear Colleague – Resetting the Education Service
When I wrote to you a little while ago it was to reflect the widespread concerns felt by professionals and parents in Bury that the enthusiasm expressed by central Government to resume education was ahead of the local Covid 19 situation: and, my view was that we should take more time in order to ensure the safety of pupils, staff, and other site users. This view was endorsed by our Council.
It has been gratifying, both to have received such strong support for our decision; and to learn that you are using the additional time to risk assess, and to proof our educational arrangements for our young people. I thank you for your professionalism, and your determination to do the job of resetting our service thoroughly and safely.
We are now at the point where the feedback I have received from across the service suggests that a phased, careful and progressive return, of some of our pupils and students, may be possible over the next few weeks. I support this process, whilst recognising that the timing and organisation of pupil return must be: at your discretion, based on a robust risk assessment, supported by the Local Authority, and in consultation with parents, carers, unions and associations.
In parallel with the intense work being done at school level we are working with officers across the Council, in Health, and with emergency services to develop local scenario plans against any potential outbreak of the virus. There continues to be risk, which we must anticipate and seek to manage. For this reason, Heads are meeting regularly with officers and key partners, in order to monitor our gradual extension of our service offer to key groups of young people.
Please share this letter with staff and parents, as part of your own advices. You have the full support of Bury Council, and my personal good wishes, as we begin to extend the education service recovery.
Yours sincerelyCllr Tamoor Tariq – Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
We are now at the point where the feedback I have received from across the service suggests that a phased, careful and progressive return, of some of our pupils and students, may be possible over the next few weeks. I support this process, whilst recognising that the timing and organisation of pupil return must be: at your discretion, based on a robust risk assessment, supported by the Local Authority, and in consultation with parents, carers, unions and associations.
In parallel with the intense work being done at school level we are working with officers across the Council, in Health, and with emergency services to develop local scenario plans against any potential outbreak of the virus. There continues to be risk, which we must anticipate and seek to manage. For this reason, Heads are meeting regularly with officers and key partners, in order to monitor our gradual extension of our service offer to key groups of young people.
Please share this letter with staff and parents, as part of your own advices. You have the full support of Bury Council, and my personal good wishes, as we begin to extend the education service recovery.
Yours sincerelyCllr Tamoor Tariq – Cabinet Member for Children and Young People