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# Return to the classroom for all students is a journey rather than a race, Lichfield headteacher says
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/return-to-the-classroom-for-all-students-is-a-journey-rather-than-a-race-lichfield-headteacher-says/
- Published: 2021-02-26T08:34:45.000Z
- Updated: 2021-02-26T08:44:03.000Z
- Description: Returning all students to the classroom is “a journey rather than a race”, a Lichfield secondary school headteacher has said.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Education, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:14, News

Returning all students to the classroom is “a journey rather than a race”, a Lichfield secondary school headteacher has said.

Pupils across the country will return to in-person education from 8th March following the current lockdown.

Two secondary schools in Lichfield have [confirmed a staggered restart](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/headteacher-says-staggered-return-will-be-needed-for-students-at-lichfield-secondary-school/) may be necessary – and in a letter to parents, King Edward VI School also outlined similar proposals.

Headteacher Jane Rutherford said it was important to recognise the challenges pupils have had over the past year.

![Jane Rutherford](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rutherford.jpg)

Jane Rutherford

> “We know that our students have had a range of experiences during lockdown.  
>  
> “When students return to school we understand that some students may have thrived while some may have struggled -the most important thing for us all is to take positive steps forward.  
>  
> “It is a journey rather than a race to re-engage with life in school.”  
>  
> Jane Rutherford, King Edward VI School

Pupils will also need to be tested when they return to school – a fact which is likely to impact on when all students will be back full-time.

> “From 8th March we will begin the programme required to offer all 1,500 students three rapid lateral flow tests, three to five days apart.  
>  
> “Conducting up to 4,500 individual student tests is a huge undertaking and will require an intensive programme supported by at least 25 members of staff on each testing day.  
>  
> “The return is being staggered to support the testing process and transition back in to school but it is anticipated that all students will be back in school full-time by 15th March.”  
>  
> Jane Rutherford, King Edward VI School