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20 May 2020
Our letter to The Times for National Thank a Teacher Day (May 20) Signed by 21 leaders working in/with the education sector Dear Sir, School leaders are facing complex and challenging issues during the coronavirus crisis. They have made and continue to make difficult decisions and risk assessments: about when and how to teach and remain in touch with pupils and parents; about whether they can safely continue to look after the children of key workers or re-open; and about how to ensure the wellbeing of their staff. Teachers have worked long hours to deliver distance lessons from home, often in highly innovative ways. Many have gone to great lengths to keep in touch with and support pupils, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Others have shown great ingenuity in considering what a return to physical school might look like, and in coming up with plans to make that work and recover lost ground. Many schools have also donated or are making PPE, as well as ensuring that basic food supplies continue to reach families most in need. Each school has its own community with its own specific challenges. National Thank a Teacher Day (May 20) is a time to celebrate teachers across the country; we ask you and your readers to join us in publicly acknowledging and thanking school leaders, teachers and all other school staff for their contribution during this difficult time. Yours faithfully, Geoff Barton, General Secretary, Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Colin Bell, CEO, Council of British International Schools (COBIS) Vivienne Durham, Chief Executive, Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) John Edward, Director, Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) Robin Fletcher, Chief Executive, Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) Cheryl Giovannoni, Chief Executive, The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) Dr Maureen Glackin, General Secretary, Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference CISC) Richard Harman, Chief Executive, The Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) Christopher King, CEO, Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) Elizabeth Kitcatt, Joint President, Association of State Girls’ Schools (ASGS) Steve Munby, Chair, Teaching Awards Trust Professor Dame Alison Peacock, CEO, Chartered College of Teaching Ian Power, General Secretary, Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) Clive Rickart, CEO, The Society of Heads Julie Robinson, CEO, Independent Schools Council (ISC) Neil Roskilly, Chief Executive, Independent Schools Association (ISA) James Turner, CEO, The Sutton Trust Emma Verrier, CEO, Welsh Independent Schools Council (WISC) Violet Walker, Joint President, Association of State Girls’ Schools (ASGS) Carl Ward, Chair, Foundation for Education Development (FED) David Woodgate, Chief Executive, Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA)
