Lancashire headteacher who wrote honest letter thanking parents 'feeling the strain' of pandemic goes viral

A primary school headteacher and mum-of-two wrote a heartfelt message to parents of children at Coates Lane Primary School in Barnoldswick to say 'well done' to parents 'surviving the pandemic.'
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And since being shared across social media, it has caught the attention of hundreds online, with headteacher Sarah White now thanking people for the "unbelievable" response.

In the letter, the headteacher of Coate's Lane primary school, Barnoldswick, explained how as a mum herself, she is also "really feeling the strain" of working her own job, helping with her children's school work and surviving through the pandemic.

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She went on to praise parents for their efforts in supporting their children with homeschooling and added that they were "all doing amazing" despite the lockdown.

In the letter that has been shared more than 300 times on Facebook, she wrote: "Today I write to you as a mother first. This week has been tough. Week three of the lockdown and as a parent, I have felt the strain this week.

"My own two children have been set an immense amount of work from their school and I literally haven't been able to keep up with it.

"Between juggling my own job, my children's school work and generally surviving a pandemic, I really felt the strain this week.

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"Times are tough at the moment... our mental health is taking a battering. The dark, cold and rainy/snowy weather hasn't helped, so we need to support each other and get through this together.

The letter thanking parents for the "love" and "care" given to their children was shared across social mediaThe letter thanking parents for the "love" and "care" given to their children was shared across social media
The letter thanking parents for the "love" and "care" given to their children was shared across social media

"My main reason for writing is to say WELL DONE! You are surviving a pandemic.

"Whatever your personal circumstances, we think you are doing a great job. If your child has had lots of microwave meals, stayed up too late, played too much on the Xbox and not finished all their school work... THAT'S OK!

"We know our pupils are safe, loved and cared for and that is the most important thing at the moment."

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She went on to encourage parents to not feel pressured by their child's schoolwork when they are already busy trying to "hold down jobs" and offered a hand to those who were struggling and in need of support.

Sarah White is the headteacher of Coates Lane primary school, Kirkstall Drive, BarnoldswickSarah White is the headteacher of Coates Lane primary school, Kirkstall Drive, Barnoldswick
Sarah White is the headteacher of Coates Lane primary school, Kirkstall Drive, Barnoldswick

The post received an outcry of support from parents, with one commenting: "So many people and their children are feeling pressure from so many directions right now, this letter would have helped to ease that pressure for so many of your parents."

Another read: "Just what I needed to hear and has made me feel so much better. You are an inspiration and you have an amazing team at Coates Lane who we are very blessed to have and very grateful for."

And the letter caught the attention of ITV's Lorraine Kelly, as she featured on her morning show today, January 26, to talk about the response.

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On the school Facebook page, she said that the response was "not expected", confessing that the letter was "written from the heart".

The full post can be seen here.

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