DR BEN SPENCER MP
I must start with a huge congratulations ! to everyone who received their exam results this summer. I wish you all the very best for your next adventure, whether that be further study or starting a new career. Having met with schools and families throughout the past year I know how difficult the restrictions have been, how hard everyone has worked to deliver the best outcomes despite the challenges, and how amazing our schools are, not just at delivering education but also as support hubs within our communities. Well done all!
As schools and colleges return after summer, so too will ‘normal’ school life, with the opportunity to enjoy the assemblies, plays and performances that are such an important part of education, and an end to the dreaded bubbles and restrictions. The events of the pandemic will undoubtedly leave a legacy on students, staff and the schools themselves. With each and every change, even the positive ones, schools have had to plan and adapt, with staff working tirelessly to ensure the seamless transition for when the term begins. Throughout the summer schools have been running additional classes and helping to prepare children for the transition to their new year or new school. This is part of our plan to ensure our children don’t become the ‘lost covid generation’ and support educational recovery. But the people who pick it up and run with it are our local teachers, and only through my regular meetings with local school leaders have I been able to see the extent of the work that goes on behind the scenes, or appreciate the swan-like grace of so many school staff who beneath the surface have been desperately paddling to keep everything on track.
It has been a privilege to support our amazing schools and their staff this year, to help ensure they receive the information, support and funding they need, so that they in turn can support our students through this difficult time. But there remain many issues we need to address, from the question of how to fairly conduct exams next year, to addressing the impact of the pandemic on the mental, social and emotional wellbeing of students and staff. Special Educational Needs remains a huge challenge locally and nationally, and I am working with schools, Surrey County Council and Government colleagues to improve local special educational need (SEN) provision and ensuring we can train, recruit and retain the number of teachers needed to continue to deliver excellence in our schools.
The best way to thank our schools for all of their efforts is to listen and respond to what they need. I know that our schools will work to address each of these challenges head on, and I look forward to supporting them in the new term and beyond to help deliver the positive changes they require.