Dear headteacher

These letters and emails were written to a head teacher from a large east London primary school during the lockdown period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Headteacher, The impact of covid-19 was very stressful towards my mental health and I was very concerned about the drastic change in society. During the first week of lockdown, I was quite ill which made me feel weak and anxious. In that moment, there were many questions in my head: •

What will happen to my kids?

Who will look after them if anything happens to me?

What to tell or not tell my youngest child?

When will the schools open? • Will there be any changes in the news? Those questions would cause many sleepless nights. More often, I was feeling lonely as all the social interactions were decreased. As I am a sociable person I like to go out, meet friends and explore new places. For me not being able to do all my favourites things made me feel so down. During the pandemic, I went back to work after a month, and I felt happy that I am going to meet the children and the staff. But unfortunately, that day, I felt disheartened due to the school corridors being too quiet, the hub was empty, and the playground was lifeless. I felt quite emotional as I have never seen the school so empty and I missed the children’s vibrant noises. After couple of weeks, I felt better and was back on my feet. Both of my children were feeling quite disturbed as one was dealing with sleeping issues and the other was affected emotionally. I had to be strong and take care of both children. I chose to read a mindfulness book to help me cope mentally during the lockdown. I learnt various positive ways to change my attitude towards the pandemic and it helped me deal with difficult situations better. I tried to find ways to occupy the children to keep them busy, which will make them happy in doing so such as poster-making, scrapbooking, etc. I started to re-organise the house with the kids by redecorating rooms and the garden shed, in which they contributed by providing various wonderful ideas. Anjeleena Ramgolaam (LSA -SEND)

Dear Headteacher, For me, lockdown has meant that for the first time in ages I have had the time needed to complete the admin type tasks that come with teaching, and so in a way has felt as though I have finally been given a chance to breathe and slow down, as well as get all my work done. My favourite time in the week is calling all the children in my class, not to discuss work necessarily but just to connect on a personal level, and away from the normal rush to fit everything into a weekly timetable, we can just talk to them and get to hear their thoughts and feelings – it brightens up lockdown immeasurably. The longer lockdown has lasted however, I have noticed a shift in the public’s perception of teachers and sadly feel as though once again teachers have been labelled as ‘lazy’ in response to voicing safety concerns about schools reopening. It feels as though no real thought has been given to the fact that yes, we do have a job to do and it just so happens that our job deals with real life little ones and so is extra important, but that we are humans too who are living through this pandemic alongside the rest of society and hold our own fears, difficult family situations and anxieties. Mia Bull, Teacher

Dear Headteacher, Hope this email finds you in good health. I am Safia Inayat. I am a Learning Support Assistant. On reflection the word SUPPORT has taken on a deeper meaning in my life. Since the lockdown the importance of supporting each other no matter on what level (government to key workers, anybody and everybody) Is very important to see us get through this very difficult, life changing time. Supporting family, relatives, friends ... For me the realisation of being a consistent adult in supporting our vulnerable children at school. This time must be very confusing for them... I am so looking forward to some sort of normality and to be back for our children at school. Safia Inayat (LSA 1-1 SEND)

Dear Headteacher, During this pandemic I have felt a range of mixed emotions, I was thinking a lot about the safety of my family and trying to keep them safe as possible. It had affected me mentally and physically. I was also thinking about the children in single parent family and how it could possibly affect them, me being a single parent myself. Moreover, those who are less fortunate or vulnerable such as the homeless or the elderly not having anyone to speak to also feeling lonely, with everything that has happened it has made me appreciate life much more and try and do better. It’s helped me lift up my spirit, look forward to the future and think positively. Many thanks, Beatrice Moe Loembe (TA for SEND) Dear Headteacher, I hope you continue to keep well and everyone is healthy in your family and friends. During this pandemic it has been stressful and we have to adapt lots to keep us safe . Now government is continuing to ease lockdown provisions so feels life is getting easier. Although we still have to be safe but hopefully we can reopen our school and everything goes smoothly and safe. We will be providing our support and make all the effort to keep our children safe and well in school. Afshan Shaikh (TA in KS1)

Dear Headteacher, The best way to describe lockdown is stopping at the top of the Ferris Wheel in anticipation of when it will start back up and your time is over. Lockdown has confirmed that organisation is key – both in the classroom and at home! I’ve found myself working just as hard at home as I do on a ‘normal day’ as a teacher, except this time it isn’t the fun stuff. It’s been report writing, weekly planning, timetables, home learning tasks, more report writing, phone calls to parents/children and the list goes on. However, it has also consisted of being included in a rota system to support the key worker children. That has been an eye-opening experience as a teacher – mixing with new children of all different ages, working in a new classroom environment, teaching ‘off topic’ and being more creative, and genuinely spending more personal time with these children. This is the way education should be – listening to children needs/wants, teaching them key life skills, being creative and having fun. I’m sure it has not been easy for our key worker children; however, they have shown just how resilient and strong our children really are. Having been a teacher for a few years, but new to a leadership role, I am aware of the pressure put on teachers to consistently perform and be ‘outstanding’. Lockdown for me has proven that schools and teachers play a vital role in not only providing an education but also stability, routine, friendships, hope and guidance for our next generation. Katie-Nursery teacher and Learning leader for EYFS