Notice of Motion

Green and labour GROUPs

SUPPORTING SCHOOLS THROUGH THE PANDEMIC

This committee welcomes the Government’s

· announcement on Monday 4 January that schools would move to remote learning for a further lockdown period, for all except vulnerable children and the children of critical workers

· decision to cancel SATs, GCSEs and A Level examinations this year and commitment to a different method of assessment from last year’s widely criticised algorithm

The committee notes the:

· Government have allowed individual providers to make decisions on how they will assess BTECs

· impact of moving education online which brings significant challenges for learning and the wellbeing of pupils

Therefore this committee requests:

· A report at the March committee detailing how the Council, schools and other providers are responding to the pandemic, including through supporting home learning, and access to food and devices

· That the Director of Families, Children and Learning writes to the Secretary of State and the Shadow Secretary of State for Education requesting that:

o School and nursery staff are prioritised for vaccination , along with critical workers who support children and young people, such as social workers and youth workers

o Schools receive additional funding to address increased costs from the pandemic such as increased cleaning costs, which they can currently only claim under strict criteria for the last lockdown period and increased use of supply staff

o BTEC exams are cancelled in line with GCSE and A-Levels, and other forms of safe and fair assessment are considered

o Additional funding is issued to NHS trusts to increase mental health and wellbeing support

Proposed by: Cllr Nield                                                       Seconded by: Cllr Allcock

Notes: