So says Dory to Marlin in Finding Nemo, right when it seems as though they will never find the eponymous missing fish. They do, of course (only for Dory to get lost in the sequel, but that's another matter) – and their dogged determination to keep going is something we all need right now. This quote was featured in a recent instalment of Best Evidence in Brief, the John Hopkins School of Education's Center for Research and Reform in Education newsletter – an unexpected context, and it raised a smile.
The water feels particularly choppy right now. As we go to press, the government has just announced its lockdown exit strategy, with the implication that some schools may well reopen within the coming weeks. The NAHT, the union that represents more than 29,000 school leaders in early years, primary, secondary and special schools has raised concerns that the guidance for doing this safely is sketchy – and that maintaining social distancing will be impossible, particularly in infant schools and smaller institutions. No-one wants to grapple with distance learning for longer than is necessary, but teachers' health must not be put at risk.
Meanwhile, even the most technophobic among us have embraced a new reality, and the dexterity that has been shown within the arts has been astonishing. From instrumental tuition via Skype to Facebook recitals and Zoom choirs, musicians have rallied to keep things going – to keep swimming. Organisations have also been generous with sharing resources: there's never been so much free online music teaching content (see pp10–11; p37–38 and p54). But things aren't easy, and the sector is working hard to ensure that everyone has access to the support they need (we hear from the MU over on p34).
Some of you may recognise the mug shot – I'm very pleased to be back (temporarily) in the hot seat at MT, having previously stopped by in 2015 and 2018. I look forward to working with colleagues new and old as we continue to find our way through these challenging times.
