There is always a tension in schools between education as a high moral purpose, which transforms both the individual, society and civilisations, and the lesson-by-lesson, week-by- week business of passing exams, gaining qualifications, going to university. The two are, of course, inextricably linked: teachers make decisions about what books are to be studied, what periods in history, which parts of the world. During lockdown we have all learned that science is not about facts but about interpreting data and, more significantly, that not all scientists interpret the same data in the same way. (I’ve had this sentence checked by Mrs Johnson, our Director of Science)!

Education happens not just in school. We have been providing the best quality remote lessons that we can for all our pupils, mindful of the situation of all our community: girls, parents and teachers, and this will continue until July 10th when term ends. Our old certainties and ways of working have gone by the board. Uncertainty and ever-changing situations are the new normal. ‘Zoom’ has nothing to do with rockets and fast cars. We have upskilled incredibly quickly in order to be able to move schools online. Our homes really have become our castles and for some, sadly, prisons. When there is time to reflect, it is possible that we will have found reserves we didn’t know we had; become more independent and self-reliant in our learning; reappraised what we give value to. (You may have seen Vogue’s June covers of a midwife, a train driver and a supermarket assistant).

We will be back – hopefully in September, as a school community. We may have to do this gradually and in phases. We must ensure that our education reflects our values and, as Tanisha’s art reminds of the death of a young black man in 2014, who also said ‘I can’t breathe’, our education MUST also ensure that every life matters. And for those of us who have benefited from the inequalities, WE must be prepared to change.

As ever, best wishes for the weekend and the week ahead.