I have been asked several times for my views on the merits of Kent and Medway schools opening on 1st June, and these are quite simple. I cannot imagine being in the position of current headteachers facing the challenge of deciding whether to open their schools or not, as they weigh up all the risks if they open and the brickbats if they stay closed. I am confident that the overwhelming majority of headteachers will make decisions for the benefit of their pupils, taking into account the individual circumstances of their own school, the safety and educational needs of pupils, and the safety and welfare of staff and their families. As a result there are many models for opening schools around, along with those that have decided to stay closed. As a retired headteacher and chairman of governors myself, I am just glad it is not for me to take on that responsibility and do not consider myself qualified any more to have a view on individual circumstances.
I will shortly be publishing my annual survey of Kent primary school oversubscription and vacancies. The timing is not good to say the least, with its focus on the situation of individual schools. However, I am being asked by many parents about this, as some need to know urgently if there are alternatives to the difficult situations in which they find themselves. I published my Medway survey a couple of weeks ago.