Sutton Council thanks schools and settings in Sutton for their response to COVID-19

Nearly every school and a wide range of other educational settings in the borough have remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, caring for vulnerable children and the children of key workers throughout.

Today marks the end of a very long term for most schools and settings and as the summer holidays draw near, the Council has issued a message of thanks to all leadership, staff and support staff.

Cllr Marian James, Chair of People Committee said:

“As we now turn to focusing on bringing back more pupils after the summer holidays, I would like to thank all of our education leaders, teachers, school staff, colleagues and partners. They have ensured the safe continued running of schools, successfully worked to increase the number of pupils who were able to come back to school, and responded to new challenges.

“Parents at home deserve a special credit too for their work. They have taken on new teaching roles to engage their children, often juggling their new duties with demands from their existing employment.” 

The Council recognises that as the local area prepares for all children and young people returning next year, in light of the recent guidance issued by the Government, the summer will still require leaders to be planning and making preparations throughout the holiday period. Many settings will also remain open over the summer holiday to provide crucial childcare facilities and activities for young people in the Borough.

The Council is proud of the education community in Sutton and for the partnership working that has taken place between the Local Authority and education settings from across the Local Area. There have been countless examples of partnership working, with staff going the extra mile to support children and young people in the Borough. 

Those examples include:

• Schools sharing staff to ensure other schools with low staffing could remain open throughout the lockdown; 
• Cognus staff parachuting into schools at short notice to support pupils with complex special needs; 
• the volunteering service providing schools with first aiders;
• secondary schools donating science goggles to public health organisations at a time when stocks of PPE were low; 
• Childcare providers opening their doors to new children, enabling key workers and vulnerable children to access much needed provision;
• The tireless efforts from colleagues in social care and Cognus alike to stay in touch with our most vulnerable pupils and their families.

For more information of services for children and young people over the school holidays, please visit - www.sutton.gov.uk/covid-19