Dave’s under pressure to get the cleaners in – but there’s no point unless there’s power. And Denise is being asked “when can the children come back in”. As Dave says, his job isn’t buildings – “it’s not just bricks and sticks” – it’s about children and the staff that work with them. Fire damage at any school is traumatic but there’s got to be a safe environment to start the re-opening.
By Tuesday afternoon, the ‘team’ (as they now are, with additions) meet again at Whiteways. Power and water have both been re-connected; the options for the children can be looked at more clearly.
Those children facing the ever critical SATs are the priority – and Whiteways School can make space for them. St Catherine’s can provide space for teachers. And the recently closed Young Children’s Centre down on Catherine Road could be re-opened for the nursery children.
Dave fully acknowledges how everyone is affected – and the local economy with some parents having to take unpaid timeoff work.