Comment: Let's clap and pray for our teachers and school staff in Harborough

Viewpoint by Rev. Andy Murphy.

One of the great joys and privileges of my work as a minister is the connection I have with a number of schools in the area.

They are places of joy and achievement, growth and friendship, and for many children they are sanctuaries of encouragement, love, routine, nutrition, and other things not necessarily found at home. I have seen my own daughter grow immensely in confidence and ability in her first two years at school.

This is typically the time of year for sports days, summer fairs, end-of-term parties and special services to say farewell to those leaving for the next big stage in their lives. It is always a time of great emotion: celebrating the year and helping children move up with a sense of pride and purpose.

This year, our schools will be trying to do all of those things in different ways, constrained as they are. While, of course, many children will be having no physical contact with their school at the moment. I hope that all the children will still feel loved and supported through their transitions to their next stages – especially those at 16 or 18 who will not have the satisfaction of well-earned exam results, and may wonder what the future holds for them.

I am praying for the children who have not been able to return to school yet, and their parents – many forced to juggle working from home with educating their children, without even the respite of a nice day out or a holiday. I know a little of what that has been like!

These are difficult times for our teachers and all of the staff of our schools, nurseries, academies and colleges. They are trying desperately to do their best in an ever-changing landscape. Many teachers and teaching assistants are working considerably more hours than they are paid for at the moment. Many have not had a proper break since February.

I have been very dismayed by some of the negative coverage in parts of the media recently about teachers and their unions. We sometimes forget that the schools have been working hard to provide for children from vulnerable and keyworker families right throughout this pandemic. They have also been providing daily work for all children at home, and regular guidance for parents. They are working very hard to enable as many children as possible to return safely, but tightly-squeezed finances mean it is not always feasible to build the classrooms or employ the staff needed.

I am constantly impressed by the professionalism and dedication of all the teachers and school workers I encounter. I cannot think of many more important roles in our society. As we have been “clapping for carers” in recent months, surely our teachers, assistants, school office staff, caretakers, cooks, cleaners and lunchtime supervisors deserve our utmost admiration and support. I am regularly praying for them. As this term draws to a strange and emotional end, I encourage you to do the same.

Rev. Andy Murphy is the Methodist Minister in Market Harborough, Kibworth and Naseby, and acting vice-chair of Churches Together Harborough.