The chairman of the Kent Association of Headteachers believes there is a mixture of nervousness and excitement across the county as schools prepare to re-open next week.

Students will return to the classroom on Monday for the first time this year.

Mr Brookes, who is also executive head of the Fulston Manor Academy's trust in Sittingbourne as well as chairman of the Kent Association of Headteachers, admitted it will be interesting to see how things go in the coming weeks.

He said: “Obviously, heads are very keen to have all their students back as quickly as possible.

"But there is also a sense of nervousness.

“We remember, I’m afraid, all too well what happened in November and December, and the difficulties as the virus spread very quickly in schools.

“So although we are keen to have our students back, I think it will be very tense over the next two or three weeks to see how this develops.”

This is the second time during the Covid-19 pandemic schools have re-opened. They did so in September 2020 but were forced to shut again in January after a last-minute u-turn by the government.

Mr Brookes had previously hit out at the government over their plans to mass test for coronavirus in secondary schools.

He believes it will be tricky for school staff, with all staff and pupils being asked to undergo at least three Covid-19 tests as they return this time around.

“It is going to be very difficult,” he said.

“I know most secondary schools that have got the testing under way this week - to have at least some students back from the beginning of Monday - are finding that challenging.

“It will be a lot more challenging when we get into next week and we have some students back in taking part in the curriculum, other students being tested and then, of course, we have got to test all the students a second time and a third time.

“So it is going to be a huge strain on staff resources and it is going to be disruptive for the students because, once they are fully back, they are still going to have to be coming out of lessons to take part in the second and third tests.”

Jeremy Farrell, deputy headmaster of Sutton Valence School near Maidstone, is optimistic they are ready for their students to come back but thinks further challenges could lie ahead.

“I'm confident we will be ready in that the plan is on paper,” Mr Farrell said.

Jeremy Farrell, deputy head of Sutton Valence

“Of course, when you throw 560 children and 60-odd staff into that plan, anything can happen.

“But thanks to the dedication of an extraordinarily talented team, I think we are ready for them to come back.”

Asked if the school were in a better position to welcome back pupils this time around, he said: “I think we are in a different position, not necessarily a better position.

“There is still all sorts of uncertainty, for example the exam years have got deadlines looming.

“But undoubtedly, all educational settings have been able to adapt and meet whatever challenge is coming.

“I think we would be naive to think this isn’t the last bump in the road, so let’s see what happens this time and we look forward to reaping the rewards of the children being back in school, seeing their friends in the next three weeks.”

Mr Farrell also explained why they will initially be focusing on the social aspect of allowing children to interact with their friends at school, rather than the educational side of things.

He said: “I think, if we look at the re-opening of schools as being back into the class and let's make progress, that’s not the case.

“We have to test the children three times over the next 10 or 12 days.

“I think we would be naive to think this isn’t the last bump in the road..."

"That, inevitably, is going to disrupt the learning that has been quite successful online.

“So actually, this is very much a case of bringing the children back into school, reconnecting with their friends and enjoying all those social aspects that they have missed.

“Undoubtedly, that will disrupt the learning.

“In our case, we have a very successful online, virtual provision and so, in the next 10 days, that will be sacrificed for the benefit of the well-being of the children as they re-connect with their friends.”

The school has transformed their sports hall into a testing centre as well.

“It is the demands of the job,” Mr Farrell said. “We have been delighted to also offer it as a vaccination centre, and it is an ideal space to offer what we think is a relatively efficient system.

“We think we will be able to test about 50 pupils an hour and, in that way, move things through quite well.

“It is a hugely flexible space. At other times, it is used for speech days, mock (exams) etc.

“It is a great space but we all look forward to the time when it will be used for cricket nets, basketball courts and things like that.”

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