Take a break, you're doing an amazing job - a heartfelt message to Hartlepool's parents who are home schooling
That’s the message that a health chief has delivered to thousands of parents who have spent the lockdown in home schooling.
In a heartfelt letter with a letterheaded rainbow, Julie Gillon has expressed her gratitude and understanding of the challenges parents are facing during the pandemic.
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Hide AdThere’s been humour with some parents giving themselves ‘Ofsted’ style ratings of ‘requires improvement’ while others have gone on to social media to describe their experiences.
But there has been a real appreciation of education as well and Mrs Gillon, the Chief Executive of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust wrote: “You are doing an amazing job, against a backdrop of such challenge for so many – whether that is access to online learning or simply maintaining a positive structured learning environment within the sanctuary of your own home. You are enough’."
She added: “We know and appreciate how much pressure you have all faced in your new roles as educators. Homeschooling, almost a year on is one of the hottest topics of the pandemic.
"From the self-awarded Ofsted ratings of ‘requires improvement’ and the endless social media memes and tik-tok posts about the matter – parents have handled their new responsibilities with humour, self-awareness and a real appreciation of our education community and all that they do to support our youngest members of the community.
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Hide Ad“This half term we would encourage all parents across the region to enjoy a break from long division and phonics. One of the biggest considerations for the NHS as we continue to navigate the pandemic, and indeed post-Covid is the need to focus on positive health and wellbeing. There can be no doubt of the impact the last 12 months have had on all of our lives. There must be some respite.”
Mrs Gillon has reached out to a number of groups throughout the pandemic including headteachers and the wider business community.
She said: “When we emerge from this pandemic these relationships will be stronger and more important than ever. We must all come together to future proof health care, education, the economy and the political landscape of Teesside.”