Headteacher’s advice to Doncaster pupils after schools shutdown

The call is among advice handed to pupils at McAuley School by headteacer John Rooney as year 11s and 13s left school knowing that their A levels and GCSEs had been cancelled.

In a letter to the pupils, he said: “I honestly thought that I would share the ups and downs of the next few weeks and months with you. I thought I’d see you coming to collect your results and get what you so richly deserved, knowing that I and my team of teachers and support staff had done as much as we could to help you do your best.

“I thought that I’d write the intro to the yearbook, give you the chance to proudly wear your leavers hoodies, see you, almost unrecognisable at the prom. Instead we have to leave you like this. Uncertain, confused. Wanting some reassurance. Some advice.

“My advice for what it’s worth is this. Create some certainty for yourself. Complete your studies just to spite this virus. Turn your confusion into direction and plan for Y12 because this too will pass and September will happen.

“Be reassured. We will continue to be here for you.”

Doncaster’s schools closed to most pupils at the end of last week, with only youngsters of essential workers allowed in, as familes stay at home as part of social isolation measures.

One headteacher said the numbers attending fell on Tuesday after scrict new measures to enforce social isolation were brought in.