Headteacher pens viral letter ‘every parent needs to read’
A headteacher’s letter to parents has gone viral after she was credited for saying what parents “needed to hear”.
Sarah White, head of Coates Lane Primary School in Lancashire, penned the letter praising parents for doing what they can to get by.
White began the letter by stating that she writes to the parents as a mother first - and that even she hasn’t been able to keep up with the work given to her children by their respective schools.
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She continues: “Times are tough at the moment… our mental health is taking a battering. The dark, cold and rainy/snowy weather hasn’t helped so we need to support each other and get through this together.”
White adds that the main reason she is contacting parents is to say “well done”.
“You are surviving the pandemic! Whatever your personal circumstances, we thank you for doing a great job! If your child has lots of microwave meals, stayed up too later, played too much on the Xbox and not finished all their schoolwork… that’s ok!
“We know our pupils are safe, loved and cared for and that is the most important thing at the moment. We know we’ve got high expectations here and we’ve set a lot of work each week. All we ask is that you do your best.”
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The headteacher also asked parents to not allow school work to put any extra pressure on them when they are trying to hold down jobs and offered emotional support for mums and dads who may need it.
Parents were quick to praise the letter on social media, with one Facebook user writing: “What a beautiful letter of support. All parents need to hear this right now.”
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Another wrote: “Thank you so much for that Mrs White. Just what I needed to hear and has made me feel so much better.”
A fellow parent said: “A very important message. Think most people are feeling the strain of trying to balance everything.”
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The letter has since been ‘liked’ 231 times and received 196 shares.
While schools will remain closed until at least February half term, last week Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said schools will get two weeks’ notice before they need to reopen and he ‘certainly hopes’ they will open again before Easter.
