In April, the Covid-19 Inquiry moves to consider the pandemic’s impact on children, young people and schools. As part of the Inquiry, NASS is one of the organisations directed to provide a written statement. This is a wide-reaching document, collating the experience of NASS and its member schools across the pandemic.

As we start to go back through our emails and actions over that period, we are reminded of just what a difficult time it was for our schools and all the staff and young people within them. Special schools made superhuman efforts to stay open and this was rarely reflected in media attention which focused on school closures. We know that guidance was often slow to come and lacking in specificity for special schools, leaving gaps which caused stress and uncertainty. We know the impact on school staff was huge – from issues such as lack of PPE through to the ultimate distress of losing colleagues and students to the illness.

We believe that NASS’s evidence should be rich with the voices and experiences of our member schools. On Tuesday 25^th March, between 3.30pm and 5.00pm, we will be holding an open session for any NASS member to come and share their experiences of working in a special school over the pandemic. Whilst this will help to inform our submission, it’s also a chance to share experiences in a supportive setting and a chance to take stock of where we are now.

We recognise that there may be people who have experiences that they would like captured but do not wish to share in a larger session. If you would like to talk to Claire separately, she’d be happy to hear from you. Please email: cdorer@nasschools.org.uk

This session is for NASS members only.

Booking deadline: Friday 21st March 2025
Cancellation deadline: Friday 21st March 2025

As this is a virtual session you will require audio/visual capability i.e. desktop with webcam plus headphones with a microphone or laptop/device with microphone and camera.