The principal of Maldon's Plume Academy has reached out to reassure students in exam years in the midst of uncertainty over what will happen now.

Principal Carl Wakefield said: "Sadly, and again, I have to say, very frustratingly, we now know this is a time of real angst and worry for our 396 Year 11 and Year 13 students with the additional announcement of this summer's public

examinations not running as they normally would do.

"At present, my staff and I do not even know what this actually means, however, what I have assured our students via this morning's assembly, an email I wrote to them last evening and after posting a Twitter video prior to sending this is that whatever is eventually stipulated by the Government, as we did last summer, we will make it work and primarily for them. For their families - of which I am one as a parent of a Year 11 son - and our staff too of course."

Mr Wakefield also said that in his view quicker action by the Government could have helped avoid this new national lockdown.

He added: "The Prime Minister had no choice but to take the actions that were announced last night and with the core objective of getting the now rampaging Covid-19 figures back under control.

"From a student and staff safety perspective, I have to say I feel somewhat relieved, however, I also have to be honest and say I also feel somewhat frustrated due to the fact that if the Government had acted when told to do so by their own scientific advisors some six weeks ago now, I feel this full further national lockdown could have been avoided.

"Still, whilst we would have much rather had our students return from the Christmas break in person today, and it would have been absolutely fantastic to see them all, the academy's team of staff have worked extremely hard over time to ensure that if ever this further point came, we could immediately switch to a full remote provision for all 1, 742 of our students.

"This we have done starting with a remote whole academy with myself at 8.30am this morning and where the attendance was hugely impressive. My colleagues and I have every faith this will only continue over the course of the next six weeks."

And lastly, Mr Wakefield spoke of his pride in all students, staff and parents of the Plume Academy, adding:

"Regardless of the challenge we have had to face up to, currently need to manage and may well need to overcome in the future, the stakeholders of this academy will do so together, in collaboration and whilst staying strong and united.

"Of this I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever hence why I remain extremely proud of them all."