Naylor's Nuggets- E-mergency Mail only?

<p>Homeschooling, virtual lessons , teams and zooms . These necessary and vital educational lifelines</p> <p>have receded from view on the vista of most teachers for the moment . Technology played a vital</p> <p>and essential role in supporting schools and students during lockdowns. As a profession we have</p> <p>settled on various ‘keepers’ from this period, notably virtual parents evenings. What we have</p> <p>developed in the authors view from this period is a culture of 24/7 ‘contact-ability and consequent</p> <p>accountability due to the misuse and over-reliance on email.</p> <p>During the periods of partial closure, schools immediately and successfully flipped to an online</p> <p>learning model . This was facilitated primarily by email accounts allowing access to the suite of</p> <p>services offered by Google/Microsoft or other providers. At the time , schools were also able to</p> <p>bolster their contacts for parents/carers with email addresses . The speed at which contact could be</p> <p>made was a huge advantage for attendance, safeguarding and of course learning . These email</p> <p>addresses also became a lifeline for families to gain support for free school meal vouchers, access to</p> <p>services and a direct line to teachers .At the time , there was also limited access to many external</p> <p>agencies. Schools stepped into this void , notably in the area of healthcare becoming testing centres</p> <p>overnight. They also plugged gaps in many other areas helping to support the most vulnerable in</p> <p>society at a time when it was needed the most.</p> <p>As schools returned to normal in September , the normal business of schools resumed . Leading</p> <p>schools in 2021 is hugely demanding and rewarding . It requires fortitude , strength of will , huge</p> <p>reservoirs of energy and to maintain this a healthy work-life balance. The number of adverts</p> <p>currently in TES for senior leaders is testament to the size and scale of the challenge</p> <p>.Alongside the everyday work schools do in providi