This episode of The SecEd Podcast looks at Covid-19, including how schools have coped this term, our biggest successes, biggest challenges, lessons learned, and our planning for the spring and summer terms 2021.

This discussion, which took place on December 14, included Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, and three headteachers from schools in Tier 2 and 3 areas:

  • Ben Solly, principal of Uppingham Community College in Rutland
  • Jodie Hassan, headteacher of St Edward's Academy in the London Borough of Havering.
  • Darren Lyon, principal of Waterhead Academy in Oldham.

Topics of discussion included the leadership shown by schools, remote education, staff wellbeing & fatigue, workload, government guidance, school budgets, risk assessment, catch-up funding, exam preparation, parental engagement, mental health & more.

You can listen to this episode of the SecEd Podcast below. To hear other SecEd podcasts, or to subscribe for free to new editions, search for 'The SecEd Podcast' in your podcast streaming application of choice. Or visit www.sec-ed.co.uk/knowledge-bank/podcasts/

Listeners might also be interested in SecEd's recent podcast episodes on:

  • Staff wellbeing during the pandemic (September 2020). Click here.
  • Student wellbeing during the pandemic (September 2020). Click here.
  • Remote education and edtech (October 2020). Click here.
  • Supporting vulnerable learners, including looked after and SEN children during the pandemic (October 2020). Click here.

For details about The SecEd Podcast, or to suggest future topics, email editor Pete Henshaw at editor@sec-ed.co.uk