Corby headteacher and students left devastated but dancing as exams cancelled

A Corby headteacher has spoken about how her staff and pupils are feeling after the announcement that schools were to close to the majority of pupils and that vital exams would not take place due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Carly Waterman, principal of Lodge Park Academy, who took over the reins of the secondary school in September 2019, had to announce to year 11 and year 13 students that they would not be sitting the exams that they had been working towards for the past two years.

Although students left school on Friday without the usual end-of-year send-off, students and staff sang and danced to mark their last day together.

Ms Waterman said: "It was an amazing atmosphere - both sad and joyous. We were celebrating our last times together for the foreseeable future by dancing and singing together as a whole school at break and lunch time.

"It is with great sadness that we are closing. I'm devastated and sad that this has happened.

"I did not expect schools to be closed until further notice and Friday was our last day potentially for a long time.

"We have incredible students and superb school staff who are rising to this unprecedented challenge."

Teachers will be using mock exam results and predicted grades from coursework to grade students to enable them to carry on their education path.

Ms Waterman said: "Year 13 and year 11 are facing uncertainty about how grades will be awarded adds to their worry. Guidance has now been released. But it’s early days.

"They are unsure about next steps in terms of sixth form, college or university. We are doing all we can to support and reassure them.

"They are very sad. They love coming to school and we are going to miss them."

Kylie Meegan, a Year 13 A level, student who wants to study midwifery at the University of Northampton said: " I'm devastated and scared, and I didn’t get to say a proper goodbye."

Fellow student Libby Siviter who also hopes to study at the University of Northampton to become a nurse said: "I'm heartbroken. It's sad that it’s all finishing so quickly.. We have no time to process the end. This is our home."

Louise Perry, who hopes to study English Literature at Newcastle, added: "I fell like part of me has been taken away."

Ms Waterman added: "From Monday we are back at school with a skeleton staff to provide for children whose parents are key workers.

"We might be able to provide online lectures but we will be working with our 'Show My Homework' app for students to do their work."