Staff at two Farnley schools are set to benefit form ‘welfare days’ to support their health and wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The board of the Gorse Academies Trust are introducing three days during December, January and February to support teachers and staff at The Farnley Academy and Ryecroft Academy.
Sir John Townsley, chief executive of the Gorse Academies Trust, said in a letter to parents:
“In taking on the many and varied challenges of ensuring that our schools remain open for all children, I have had to think very carefully about the mental health and wellbeing of all members of our community.
“This includes teachers and professionals working to support teachers, without whom our schools would be unable to function.
“I do have to share with you my clear concern that those colleagues are working on a day by day basis in extremely challenging circumstances which are often very stressful.”
Sir John said the whole of the Trust will close for one wellbeing day in each month to allow members of staff to concentrate on their own mental health and wellbeing. He added:
“We also hope our pupils will be able to enjoy similar breathing space on those days and we will be devising a small number of simple activities which pupils can complete at home around their own mental health.”
The days are on Monday 14 December, Thursday 21 January 2021 and Wednesday 10 February 2021.
Gorse runs 11 schools across Leeds.